5SS: 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


PRINCETON.  N.  J. 


Purchased  by  the 

Mrs.  Robert  Lenox  Kennedy  Church  History  Fund. 


Division 


.m 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2019  with  funding  from 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


https://archive.org/details/firstparishesofp00skir_0 


- - — 


The  First  Parishes  of  the 
Province  of  Maryland 


ISLE  OF  KENT 

In  1631  Claiborne  brought  to  the  “  Isle  of  Kent  ’’  from  Hampton,  Virginia,  the  Rev. 
Richard  James,  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  England,  who  conducted  there  in  the  virgin 
forest  along  the  shores  of  Eastern  Bay  the  first  Christian  Services  held  in  the  territory 
now  within  the  bounds  of  Maryland. 


THE 

FIRST  PARISHES 

Of  the  PROVINCE  of 

MARYLAND 

Wherein  are  Riven  HISTORICAL 
SKETCHES  of  the  ten  COUNTIES 
&  of  the  thirt/  PARISHES  in  the 
PROVINCE  at  the  time  of  the 
m  m  ESTABLISHMENT  $  M 
Of  the  CHURCH  of  ENGLAND 
In  MARYLAND  in  l<£>92  #  * 

ALSO 

AMorf  Lfreafise 
On  /fieZfcg/iaious  Sifuafion 
cfn  Me  province 
before  Me  <'&s/aJ5/isAmenf 

tfogeMer  HAM 

56  J££5USLTLRATJ0M 
&A  COJLOV&Sb  WAV 


By  PERCY  G  SEIRVEN 


BALTIMORE 

THE  NORMAN,  REMINGTON  COMPANY 
JS  547  NORTH  CHARLES  STREET  * 


Copyright,  1923,  By 
THE  NORMAN,  REMINGTON  CO. 
Baltimore,  Md. 


Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America  at  the  Press  of  G.  ALFRED  PETERS  CO. 


To  the  memory  of  my  beloved  son 
THOMAS  WILLIAM  SKIRVEN, 
whose  sweet  and  sterling  character 
has  ever  been  an  inspiration, 
this  book  is  affectionately 
dedicated . 


I 


CONTENTS 


PART  I  Historical  Notes,  1634-1692 .  1-  19 

PART  II  Papers  relating  to  Religious  Conditions  Prior  to 
the  Establishment 

Queries  about  Maryland,  1676 .  23-  25 

Religious  Conditions  in  the  Province,  1676 .  26-  27 

Meeting  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  and  Plantation, 

1677 .  28 

Lord  Baltimore’s  Statement  of  Religious  Condi¬ 
tions,  1677 .  29-  30 

Lord  Baltimore’s  Answers  to  the  Queries  about 

Maryland,  1678 .  32-  34 

Address  to  King  William,  1689 .  35-  36 

Instructions  to  Gov.  Lionel  Copley,  1691 .  37-  38 

Names  of  the  Associators,  1690 .  39 

Names  of  Council  and  Assemblymen,  1692 .  40-  43 

Repeal  of  Former  Laws .  44 

PART  III  First  Law  Establishing  the  Church  of  England, 

1692 .  47-  58 

Taxables .  59 

Sheriffs’ Jurisdiction .  60 

PART  IV  Instructions  to  Vestrymen .  63-68 

PART  V  Law  under  which  the  Church  Functioned  for  sev¬ 
enty  Years .  71-  94 

Papers  relating  to  the  Validity  of  the  above  Law.  95-  97 
Disposition  of  the  “Forty  per  Poll”  Tax .  98-102 

PART  VI  Counties,  Parishes,  Hundreds,  Churches,  Vestry¬ 
men,  Ministers,  etc .  105-164 

PART  VII  Papers  relating  to  the  Establishment .  165-167 

Acts  of  Assembly,  1698-1765 . 

Census  of  Maryland,  1696 . 

Parishes  of  Maryland  and  the  District  of  Colum¬ 
bia,  1922 . 

INDEX:  Names,  Counties,  Court  Houses,  Hundreds,  Par¬ 
ishes,  Churches,  Geographical  names  and  Mis¬ 
cellaneous  Subjects . 

MAP  of  the  Province  of  Maryland,  1692  (also  shows  location 
of  Churches  in  1922) . 


: 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Church 

County 

Page 

Isle  of  Kent . 

.Kent  Island . 

.  Queen  Anne’s .  Frontispiece 

St.  Mary's  River . 

.  St.  Mary’s  City. . . . 

.St.  Mary’s . 

6 

Old  Oak  Tree . 

.St.  Paul’s  Cemetery . Kent . 

.  15 

Old  Council  House .  .  . 

.Annapolis . 

.Anne  Arundel . 

.  62 

County  Seal . 

.  Kent . 

.  107 

Trinity  Church . 

.  .St.  Mary’s  City. . . . 

.St.  Mary’s . 

.  110 

St.  Andrew’s  Church. 

. .  Leonardtown . 

.St.  Mary's . 

.  Ill 

St.  George’s  Church .  . 

.Valley  Lee . 

.St.  Mary’s . 

.  112 

Christ  Church . 

,  .Chaptico . 

.St.  Mary’s . 

.  113 

Emmanuel  Church .  .  . 

.  .  Chestertown . 

.  Kent . 

.  114 

Vestry  House . 

.St.  Paul’s  Church.  . 

.  Kent . 

.  115 

Christ  Church . 

.Stevensville . 

.Queen  Anne’s . 

.  116 

St.  Paul’s  Church .  .  .  . 

.Fairlee . 

.  Kent . 

.  117 

State  House . 

.Annapolis . 

.Anne  Arundel . 

.  118 

St.  James’  Church. . .  . 

.Herring  Creek . 

.Anne  Arundel . 

.  120 

All  Hallows  Church. . 

.  .South  River . 

.  Anne  Arundel . 

.  121 

St.  Ann's  Church . 

.Annapolis . 

.Anne  Arundel . 

.  122 

St.  Margaret’s  Church.  Westminster . 

.Anne  Arundel . 

.  123 

Middleham  Chapel .  .  . 

.  Lusby . 

.  Calvert . 

.  124 

St.  Paul’s  Church.  .  .  . 

.Prince  Frederick.  .  . 

.Calvert . 

.  125 

Christ  Church . 

.Port  Republic . 

.Calvert . 

.  126 

All  Saints  Church.  .  .  . 

.  Sunderland . 

.Calvert . 

.  127 

St.  Paul’s  Church .  .  . . 

.  Baden . 

.Prince  George's . 

.  128 

All  Faiths  Church. .  .  . 

.Mechanicsville . 

.St.  Mary's . 

.  129 

St.  Paul’s  Church .  .  . . 

.  Rock  Creek . 

.  District  of  Columbia 

.  130 

Christ  Church . 

.  Wayside . 

.Charles . 

.  132 

Christ  Church . 

.  La  Plata . 

.Charles . 

.  133 

Christ  Church . 

.  Grayton . 

.  Charles . 

.  134 

St.  John's  Church.  .  . . 

.  Broad  Creek . 

.  Prince  George’s . 

.  135 

All  Saints'  Church. . . . 

.  .Frederick . 

.  Frederick . 

.  136 

Rectory . 

.St.  Paul’s  Parish. .  . 

.  Baltimore  City . 

.  137 

Vestry  House . 

.St.  George’s  Parish. 

.Harford . 

.  138 

St.  Thomas’  Church . . 

,  .Garrison  Forest. . . . 

.Baltimore  County. . . 

.  139 

St.  Paul’s  Church.  .  .  . 

.  Baltimore  City . 

.  140 

St.  John's  Church.  .  .  . 

.Kingsville . 

.Baltimore  County. . . 

.  141 

St.  George’s  Church.  . 

.Perryman . 

.Harford . 

.  142 

Christ  Church . 

,  .  Easton . 

.Talbot . 

.  143 

Old  Wye  Church . 

.  .Wye  Mills . 

.Talbot . 

.  144 

St.  Paul’s  Church .  .  . 

.  .Centerville . 

.Queen  Anne’s . 

.  145 

I LLUSTRAT I ONS— Concluded 


Church 

Ruins  of  Whitemarsh.  .Hambleton.  .  . 

Christ  Church . St.  Michael’s. . 

St.  Andrew’s  Church .  .  Princess  Anne . 
St.  Martin’s  Church. .  .near  Berlin. . . 

All  Saints’  Church . Monii . 

Ruins  of  Coventry  Ch. .  Rehoboth .... 

Stepney  Church . Green  Hill.  .  . 

All  Hallows  Church.  .  .Snow  Hill. . . . 

Site  of  St.  Paul’s . Vienna . 

Christ  Church . Cambridge .  .  . 

Trinity  Church . Church  Creek. 

Trinity  Church . Elkton . 

St.  Mary’s  Church.  .  .  .Northeast . 

Shrewsbury  Church .  .  .  Locust  Grove . 

St.  Stephen’s  Church.  .Earleville . 

St.  Barnabas’  Church.  .Leeland . 

St.  Luke's  Church . Church  Hill. . . 


County  Page 

Talbot .  146 

Talbot .  147 

Somerset .  148 

Worcester .  149 

Somerset .  150 

Somerset .  151 

Wicomico .  152 

Worcester .  153 

Dorchester .  154 

Dorchester .  156 

Dorchester .  157 

Cecil .  158 

Cecil .  159 

Kent .  160 

Cecil .  161 

Prince  George’s .  163 

Queen  Anne’s .  164 


PREFACE 


This  book  is  the  embodiment  of  a  desire  to  make 
available  for  reference  the  data  concerning  the  Establish¬ 
ment  of  the  Church  of  England  in  the  Province  of  Mary¬ 
land,  which  was  authorized  by  an  Act  of  the  Provincial 
Assembly  in  1692.  Where  possible,  information  has  been 
added  concerning  the  formation  of  the  parishes  with  their 
original  metes  and  bounds,  the  first  Churches  built,  the  first 
ministers  who  preached  in  Maryland  and  the  first  vestry¬ 
men  who  served  the  Church  of  England  in  the  thirty 
parishes  which  were  then  laid  out. 

The  encouragement  given  the  author  by  the  present 
Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Maryland,  the  Rt.  Rev.  John 
Gardner  Murray,  D.  D.,  is  gratefully  acknowledged.  The 
valuable  advice  of  Mr.  Lawrence  C.  Wroth,  Historiographer 
of  the  Diocese  of  Maryland,  now  Librarian  of  the  John 
Carter  Brown  Library,  Providence,  R.  I.,  the  Rev.  James 
M.  Magruder  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Frank  M.  Gibson  made  the 
work  of  compiling  this  book  easier  and  is  deeply  appreci¬ 
ated. 

It  was  only  through  the  enterprise  of  The  Norman, 
Remington  Company  that  the  publication  of  this  book  was 
made  possible.  It  is  the  author’s  hope  that  this  fresh  evi¬ 
dence  of  their  interest  in  Maryland  historical  writings  will 
meet  with  the  appreciation  it  deserves  from  the  book  buy¬ 
ing  public.  The  author  deeply  appreciates  the  generosity 
with  which  they  have  treated  him  at  every  stage  of  the 
book's  progress. 

To  Mr.  Albert  B.  Hoen  for  the  valuable  advice  and 
assistance  given  the  author  in  making  the  map  of  Mary¬ 
land  (which  accompanies  this  book)  his  sincere  thanks  are 
extended. 

Percy  G.  Skirven 

Baltimore,  Maryland 
May  24th,  1923 


>• 


1 


' 


PART  I. 

HISTORICAL  NOTES 


HISTORICAL  NOTES 


The  Protestant  Reformation  in  England  resulted  in  the 
entrenchment  of  the  Church  of  England  as  part  of  the 
government  of  the  Kingdom  and  the  consequent  displace¬ 
ment  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  and  the  political  and 
social  disability  of  its  members.  At  a  later  period  the 
Puritan  Churches  also  found  themselves  under  distasteful 
restrictions  and  numbers  of  their  adherents  began  to  seek 
asylum  from  what  they  deemed  unjust  persecution.  Coin¬ 
cident  with  the  conception  of  America  as  the  land  of 
material  opportunity  had  grown  the  idea  of  it  as  a  place 
of  refuge,  and  we  find  almost  from  the  beginning  of  the 
American  settlement  the  two  motives  animating  the  suc¬ 
cessive  colonies.  The  first  of  these,  however,  was  without 
religious  motive.  Virginia  had  been  settled  as  a  commer¬ 
cial  venture.  New  England  had  meant  opportunity  and 
refuge  to  the  Puritans,  while  the  Province  of  Maryland 
meant  opportunity  and  refuge  to  the  Roman  Catholic 
colonists  whom  Lord  Baltimore  led  to  the  shores  of  the 
Chesapeake. 

Virginia,  settled  in  1607,  was  a  stronghold  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  Maryland,  being  a  provincial  grant 
to  a  Roman  Catholic,  was  received  by  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  as  an  opportunity  for  initial  establishment  of  its 
power  in  this  part  of  the  New  World.  No  such  event  took 
place,  however,  for  it  was  not  possible  to  establish  an  ex¬ 
clusively  Roman  Catholic  colony  under  the  English  rule  at 
that  time.  To  this  fact  may  be  assigned  the  primary  cause 
for  the  “Religious  Liberty"  enjoyed  for  nearly  half  a  cen¬ 
tury  by  the  settlers  in  the  Province  of  Maryland. 


i 


2  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Prior  to  the  landing  of  Lord  Baltimore’s  colonists  at 
St.  Mary’s  there  were  no  settlements  within  the  limits  of 
the  Province  as  specified  in  the  Charter  with  the  exception 
of  those  on  the  ‘‘Isle  of  Kent”  and  on  Palmer’s  Island. 
The  latter  was  within  the  mouth  of  the  Susquehanna  river. 
Eight  years  prior  to  the  landing  of  the  colonists,  whom  the 
fancy  of  one  of  Maryland’s  brilliant  historians1  has  led  him 
to  call  “Pilgrims,”  William  Cleyborne  traded,  under  license, 
with  the  Indians  in  the  upper  Chesapeake  bay,  establishing 
in  1631  a  Trading  Post  on  the  “Isle  of  Kent.”  In  that 
year  there  were  about  one  hundred  souls  in  that  settlement 
and  in  1632  the  settlers  sent  a  representative  to  the  Virginia 
Assembly  at  Jamestown.2 

In  that  year,  1631,  Cleyborne  brought  to  the  “Isle  of 
Kent”  from  Hampton,  Virginia,  the  Rev.  Richard  James 
who  conducted  there  the  first  service  of  the  Church  of  Eng¬ 
land  said  to  have  been  held  in  the  territory  now  lying 
within  the  borders  of  Maryland.  As  this  minister  went  to 
Virginia  from  England,  “certified”  by  the  Bishop  of  London, 
and  thence  to  the  ”  Isle  of  Kent,”  it  will  be  observed  that 
this  was  the  first  regular  planting  of  the  Church  of  England 
on  what  is  now  Maryland  soil.  It  is  quite  probable  that 
Mr.  James  conducted  these  services  in  the  small  fort  which 
had  been  built  on  the  extreme  southern  end  of  the  island 
as  a  protection  against  the  Indians. 

The  poet  tells  us  that  the  “Pilgrims”  of  New  England 
went  to  that  land  seeking  “Freedom  to  worship  God,”  but 
it  was  to  the  Province  of  Maryland,  first  of  all  the  American 
colonies,  that  all  creeds  went  assured  of  their  freedom  to 
worship  as  their  conscience  dictated.  McMahon  says  “Re¬ 
ligious  liberty  was  subject  only  to  the  restraints  of  Con¬ 
science.”3  Very  naturally  the  question  arises  how  such  a 

1  McMahon,  History  of  Maryland,  p.  198. 

2  Chalmer's  Political  Annals  of  United  Colonies,  p.  206,  also  Elennir.g’s 
Statutes  at  Large,  Vol.  1,  p.  154. 

3  McMahon,  History  of  Maryland,  p.  198. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  3 


condition  was  brought  about  since  George  Calvert,  the  first 
Lord  Baltimore,  was  an  avowed  Roman  Catholic  and  Ce- 
cilius  Calvert,  his  son,  who  succeeded  to  his  father’s  titles 
and  estates,  becoming  the  second  Lord  Baltimore,  was  also 
a  Roman  Catholic. 

Born  of  Church  of  England  parents  at  Kipling,  York¬ 
shire,  England,  in  1582,  George  Calvert  early  developed 
into  a  man  of  large  capabilities.  James  I,  recognizing  in 
him  the  qualities  of  an  excellent  business  man  as  well  as  an 
astute  politician,  made  Calvert  one  of  his  Secretaries  of 
State  in  1619. 1  In  frankly  announcing  his  conversion  to  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church  he  so  impressed  the  King  with  his 
honesty  that  he  was  continued  in  the  Privy  Council  and 
later,  in  1625,  made  Baron  Baltimore  of  Baltimore,  in  the 
County  of  Longford,  Ireland. 

Having  failed  in  a  former  endeavor  toward  colonizing 
in  bleak  Newfoundland2  George  Calvert  made  a  voyage,  in 
1629,  to  the  Southern  mainland  of  North  America.  Being 
impressed  with  what  he  saw,  during  this  visit,  in  the  Virginia 
Colony  he  asked  for  the  territory  now  known  as  Maryland. 
There  he  had  expected  to  offset  the  loss  of  the  money 
sunk  in  his  ill-fated  project  at  Avalon  and  to  build 
a  fortune  for  himself  and  his  family.  There  was  also 
another  object  that  he  had  in  mind.  As  a  secondary  con¬ 
sideration  he  wanted  to  establish  a  refuge  for  his  Roman 
Catholic  friends — a  place  where  they  could  practice  their 
religious  ceremonies  without  interference.  Destined  never 
to  realize  his  cherished  ambitions  George  Calvert  died  in 
April,  1632,  before  his  promised  charter  to  Maryland 
received  the  Great  Seal. 

The  death  of  George  Calvert  did  not  prevent  King 
Charles  from  signing  the  Charter  on  June  20,  1632,  grant- 

1  Ency.  Brit.,  9th  Edit.,  Vol.  IV,  p.  713. 

2  The  Charter  to  Avalon,  Newfoundland,  was  a  gift  from  King  James  in 
further  recognition  of  George  Calvert's  faithful  services. 


4  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


ing  to  Cecilius  Calvert,  the  second  Lord  Baltimore,  all 
that  his  father  had  asked.  In  giving  him  the  Province 
of  Maryland  Charles  I  placed  Cecilius  Calvert  in  absolute 
ownership  of  all  the  land1  lying  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Province.  McMahon  says  “this  Charter  was  the  most 
ample  and  sovereign  that  ever  emanated  from  the  English 
Crown.”2  In  the  Charter  appears  the  following:  “And 
We  do  by  these  Presents  .  .  .  make,  create  and 
constitute  Him,  the  now  Baron  of  Baltimore,  and  his 
heirs,  the  true  and  absolute  Lords  and  Proprietaries  of  the 
Region  [Maryland]  aforesaid  .  .  .”3  There  would  seem 
to  be  nothing  to  prevent  Cecilius  Calvert  from  using  his 
authority,  thus  conferred,  to  adopt  any  religious  policy  for 
his  Province  that  his  ambitions  dictated.  True  there  was  a 
provision  in  the  Charter  which  held  in  check  any  very  radi¬ 
cal  change  from  the  laws  of  the  mother  country.  The  pro¬ 
vision  read  in  part:  “So  nevertheless,  that  all  Laws  afore¬ 
said  be  Consonant  to  Reason  and  be  not  repugnant  or 
contrary,  but  (so  far  as  convenient  may  be)  agreeable  to  the 
Laws,  Statutes,  Customs  and  Rights  of  this  Our  Kingdom  of 
England  .  .  .  “4 

In  recognition  of  the  magnificent  gift,  the  Province  of 
Maryland,  and  in  acknowledgment  of  the  overlordship  of 
the  King,  Cecilius  Calvert  was  required  to  yield  “there¬ 
fore  unto  US,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  two  Indian  Ar¬ 
rows  of  those  parts,  to  be  delivered  at  the  said  Castle  of 
Windsor,  every  year  on  Tuesday  in  Easter-week:  and  also 
the  fifth  part  of  all  Gold  and  Silver  Ore,  which  shall  hap¬ 
pen  from  time  to  time,  to  be  found  within  the  aforesaid 
Limits.”6 

1  McMahon,  History  of  Maryland,  p.  167. 

2  McMahon,  History  of  Maryland,  p.  155. 

3  Charter,  Section  V. 

4  Charter,  Section  VII. 

6  Charter,  Section  V. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  5 


The  second  Lord  Baltimore,  Cecilius  Calvert,  was  a 
great-hearted  far-sighted  nobleman  endowed  with  good 
common  sense.  He  realized  that  he  possessed  an  exceed¬ 
ingly  valuable  gift  in  this  fine  domain,  interlaced  as  it  was 
with  beautiful  rivers  and  divided  by  the  great  Chesapeake 
Bay.  He  appreciated  fully  the  meaning  of  the  various 
provisions  of  his  Charter.  He  also  realized  that  he  held  this 
Charter  under  a  Protestant  government  and  owing  to  the 
existing  religious  feeling  in  England  it  was  impossible, 
"Absolute  Lord”  though  he  was,  to  establish  an  exclu¬ 
sively  Roman  Catholic  colony.  He  shrewdly  adopted  as 
his  policy  "Religious  liberty,"  for  by  doing  so  he  avoided 
all  conditions  that  tended  to  mar  the  success  of  his  under¬ 
taking1  of  colonizing  Maryland.  He  made  no  misstep,  nor 
did  he  miscalculate  his  plans,  for  he  was  in  possession  of  all 
the  knowledge  we  now  have  bearing  on  those  times,  and 
also  had  the  advantage  of  breathing  the  atmosphere  of 
English  politics  of  the  day.  Second  only  to  the  territory 
itself  Calvert’s  policy  of  "Religious  liberty"  was  his  most 
valuable  asset.  Like  all  good  business  men  he  looked  after 
his  business  assets  with  great  care. 

The  encouragement  given  Cecilius  Calvert  by  the  gift 
of  so  generous  a  "grant"  was  sufficient  to  induce  him  to 
make  a  great  outlay  of  money  to  fit  out  two  vessels,  the 
"Ark"  and  the  "Dove,"  and  also  to  provide  nearly  300 
colonists  for  the  voyage  to  the  Province  in  North  America. 
The  expedition  left  England  on  Saint  Cecilia’s  Day,  No¬ 
vember  22nd,  1633,  and  Leonard  Calvert,  a  brother  of  the 
Proprietary,  was  sent  out  as  governor  of  the  Province. 
After  a  long  and  stormy  voyage  by  way  of  the  West  Indies 
they  came  into  the  Chesapeake  on  the  27th  of  February, 

1  “The  system  of  toleration  was  co-eval  with  the  colony  itself;  and  sprang 
from  the  liberal  and  sagacious  views  of  the  first  proprietary.”  McMahon's  Hist, 
of  Maryland,  p.  226. 


6  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


1634.  After  sailing  about  the  bay  looking  for  the  best 
place  to  found  the  city  which  they  intended  to  build  in  the 
Province,  they  decided  to  land  on  an  island  in  the  Potomac 
River  which  they  named  "St.  Clements.”  Having  made 
the  selection  of  that  place,  they  waited  a  day  or  two,  prob¬ 
ably  in  order  that  they  might  land  on  Lady’s  Day,  the 
Feast  of  the  Annunciation,  March  25th,  1634.  Upon  going 
ashore  they  erected  a  cross  and  took  possession  "In  the 
name  of  the  Savior  of  the  World  and  of  the  King  of  Eng¬ 
land."  This  was  nearly  three  years  after  the  Rev.  Richard 
James,  Priest  of  the  Church  of  England,  first  ministered  on 
the  Isle  of  Kent. 

The  numerical  majority  of  those  who  came  to  the 
Province  in  the  "Ark"  and  the  "Dove”  were  of  the  Anglican 
Faith.1  The  principal  adventurers  were  Roman  Catholics 
and  as  a  consequence  the  religious  tone  of  the  early  province 
was  Roman  Catholic. 

There  does  not  appear  to  be  any  record  of  an  Anglican 
Clergyman  among  them  nor  of  services  held  according  to 
the  rites  of  the  Church  of  England  very  soon  after  the 
landing  of  the  colonists.  It  is  generally  believed  that 
Anglicans  and  Roman  Catholics  for  some  years  used  the 
same  chapel  at  St.  Mary’s  for  worship.  Doubtless  the 
Anglican  Church  services  were  read  by  lay  readers  or  by 
visiting  clergymen  from  the  neighboring  colony  of  Virginia.2 

Under  the  date  of  the  13th  of  November,  1633,  Cecilius 
Calvert  had  given  instructions  to  Governor  Leonard  Cal¬ 
vert  and  his  two  Commissioners,  before  they  sailed  from 
England  for  the  Province,  as  follows: — 

1  Johnson's  Founders  of  Maryland,  p.  22. 

2  The  Rev.  William  Wilkinson,  Rector  of  St.  George’s  Church,  Poplar  Hill, 
1650-1663,  had  loaned  money  in  this  vicinity  previous  to  his  moving  from  Vir¬ 
ginia  to  Maryland  as  a  permanent  resident  and  apparently  was  drawn  thither  in 
person  by  the  opportunity  of  ministering  to  the  adherents  of  the  Established 
Church  of  England. 


VIEW  OF  ST.  MARY'S  RIVER  AT  ST.  MARY'S  CITY 

Here  Gov.  Leonard  Calvert  landed,  in  lb34,  and  here  the  foundation  of  Religious  Liberty  in  America  eventually  was 
established. 


— 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  7 


“No.  1  Impri.  His  lordship  requires  his  said 
Governor  and  Commissioners  that  in  their  voyage  to 
Maryland  they  be  very  careful  to  preserve  unity 
and  peace  amongst  all  passengers  on  Shipboard,  and 
that  they  suffer  no  scandal  nor  offence  to  be  given 
to  any  of  the  Protestants  whereby  any  just  com¬ 
plaint  may  hereafter  be  made  by  them  in  Virginia  or 
in  England.  And  that  for  that  end  they  cause  all 
Acts  of  Roman  Catholique  Religion  to  be  done  as 
privately  as  may  be,  and  that  they  instruct  all  the 
Roman  Catholiques  to  be  silent  upon  all  occasions 
of  discourse  concerning  matters  of  Religion,  and 
that  the  said  Governor  and  Commissioners  treate 
the  Protestants  with  as  much  mildness  and  favor  as 
Justice  will  permit.  And  this  to  be  observed  at 
Land  as  well  as  at  Sea.”1 

It  is  apparent  that  Cecilius  Calvert  realized  that  it  was 
essential  that  no  offence  be  given  to  the  Protestants.  And 
also  that  only  the  fairest  treatment  of  the  colonists  upon 
their  arrival  in  the  newly  discovered  country  would  keep 
the  Province  in  his  hands. 

Indeed  Calvert  intended  from  the  moment  he  conceived 
the  idea  of  founding  the  Province  of  Maryland  to  insure 
religious  toleration  in  the  province  by  writing  into  his  in¬ 
structions  orders  to  that  effect.  It  is  evident  that  he  car¬ 
ried  out  his  intention.  As  a  case  in  point  to  show  how 
diligently  Leonard  Calvert,  governor  of  the  province,  car¬ 
ried  out  the  wishes  of  his  brother,  that  of  William  Lewis, 
the  steward  of  Thomas  Cornwallis,  a  Roman  Catholic, 
can  profitably  be  told  here.  Losing  control  of  himself 
when  two  of  his  fellow  servants  read  aloud  from  a  volume 
of  Smith’s  Sermons  certain  passages  reflecting  upon  the 

1  Narratives  of  Early  Maryland  (C.  C.  Hall),  p.  16. 


8  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Pope  and  the  Roman  Catholic  faith,  Lewis  made  the 
assertion,  it  was  alleged,  that  all  Protestant  ministers 
were  “ministers  of  the  devil.”  Governor  Calvert  with  a 
Roman  Catholic  Court  immediately  fined  him  500  pounds 
of  tobacco  and  exacted  a  bond  from  him  for  good  behavior 
lest  he  should  “again  offend  the  peace  of  the  colony  . 
by  injudicious  and  unnecessary  argument  or  disputation  in 
matters  of  religion;  ...  or  use  any  ignominious 
words  or  speeches  touching  the  books  or  ministers  author¬ 
ized  by  the  State  of  England.”1 

Following  up  these  instructions  to  his  brother  Leonard, 
Cecilius  Calvert  issued  in  1636  instructions  for  his  future 
governors  and  also  an  oath  of  office  which  included  the 
following: 

“  I  will  not  by  myself,  or  any  other,  directly 
or  indirectly  trouble,  molest  or  discountenance  any 
person  professing  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  for  or  in 
respect  of  religion.  I  will  make  no  difference  of  per¬ 
sons  in  conferring  offices,  favors  or  rewards  for  or  in 
respect  of  religion,  but  merely  as  they  shall  be 
found  faithful  and  well  deserving  and  endued  with 
moral  virtue  and  abilities.  My  aim  shall  be  public 
unity  and  that  if  any  person  or  official  shall  molest 
any  person  professing  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  on 
account  of  his  religion  I  will  protect  the  person 
molested  and  punish  the  offender.”2 

This  oath  was  the  forerunner  of  the  so-called  “Tolera¬ 
tion  Act”  passed  by  the  Assembly  twelve  years  later. 
Shortly  after  promulgation  of  the  Governor’s  oath,  the  first 
building  was  erected,  in  1642  for  the  Church  of  England 

1  Arch.  Md.  Prov.  Council,  1637-1650,  p.  35. 

2  McMahon’s  History  of  Maryland,  p.  226.  (Chalmers  says  “this  oath 
was  taken  by  the  Governors  and  Council  from  1637  to  1657,"  sec  Political  Annals.) 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  9 


worshippers  in  St.  Mary’s  County — Trinity  Church.1 
Without  the  formal  induction  of  a  minister,  the  congre¬ 
gation  worshipped  there  without  interference.  Further 
up  the  Potomac  River  and  some  three  or  four  miles  across 
the  St.  Mary’s,  Poplar  Hill  (St.  George’s)  Church  was 
built  about  the  same  time.  It  was  in  this  Church  in  1650 
that  the  first  permanently  settled  Church  of  England 
clergyman,  the  Rev.  William  Wilkinson,  began  his  thirteen 
years  of  ministry.  Another  church  was  built  for  the 
Protestants  at  St.  Clement’s  Manor,  about  the  same  time 
as  Trinity  and  Poplar  Hill  were.  This  church  was  built  by 
Thomas  Gerrard  ‘‘for  the  convenience’’  of  his  Protestant 
wife,  her  friends  and  servants.  In  the  building  of  these 
churches  may  be  perceived  the  immediate  results  of  Lord 
Baltimore’s  assurances  of  protection  to  the  colonists  in 
religious  worship.  Up  to  this  time  no  other  parts  of  the 
colony  had  attempted  the  building  of  a  church.  While  it 
is  true  that  no  churches  were  built,  it  is  known  that  there 
had  been  places  of  worship,  however  primitive  they  may 
have  been,  on  Kent  Island  and  in  Kent  County  on  the 
north  side  of  Chester  River  about  the  year  1652.  As  proof 
of  there  being  no  Protestant  minister  in  the  colony  at  that 
time,  a  fine  of  five  hundred  pounds  of  tobacco  upon  a 
colonist  was  to  be  paid  to  the  first  Protestant  minister  “to 
arrive”  in  the  colony.2 

When  Charles  I3  was  deposed,  and  opposition  to  the 
King  which  culminated  later  in  the  establishment  of  the 
Commonwealth  under  Cromwell  developed,  Lord  Baltimore 
set  about  to  solve  the  difficult  problem  of  retaining  pos- 

1  Trinity  Church,  at  St.  Mary's  City,  now  stands  on  the  site. 
There  were  no  churches  built  for  Roman  Catholic  worship  in  the  Province 
because  of  that  part  of  the  Charter,  Section  IV,  which  expressly  says:  “The 
Patronages  and  advowsons  of  all  churches  which  within  the  said  Region 

shall  happen  to  be  built  .  .  .  the  same  to  be  dedicated  and  consecrated 

according  to  the  Ecclesiastical  Laws  of  our  Kingdom  of  England." 

2  Arch.  Md.  Prov.  Council,  1637-1650,  p.  35. 

8  Charles  I  was  beheaded  30th  January,  1649,  Ency.  Brit.,  9th  Edition. 


10  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


session  of  his  colony.  With  characteristic  shrewdness 
he  concluded  that  the  best  way  to  do  this  was  to  change 
the  “complexion”  of  the  Council  so  that  it  would  give 
to  the  Protestants  a  majority.  Prior  to  this  change  (1648) 
the  Assembly,  it  is  said,  had  been  composed  almost  en¬ 
tirely  of  Roman  Catholic  members.  With  this  exhibition 
of  willingness  to  satisfy  the  Protestants,  he  went  further 
and  appointed  a  Protestant  Governor  of  the  colony,  William 
Stone.  Feeling  that  his  province  was  still  in  danger  of 
confiscation,  he  urged  in  1649  the  passage  by  the  Assembly 
of  the  “Act  Concerning  Religion”1  which  became  known 
as  the  “Maryland  Toleration  Act.”  The  preamble  to  the 
act  is  as  follows  : 

“For  as  much  as  in  a  well  governed  Xtian 
Common  Wealth  matters  concerning  Religion  and 
the  honor  of  God  ought  in  the  first  place  to  be  taken 
into  serious  consideration  and  endeavored  to  be 
settled.  Be  it  therefore  ordered  and  enacted  by  the 
Rc  Honblc  Cecilius  Lord  Baron  of  Baltimore  Abso¬ 
lute  Lord  and  Proprietary  of  this  Province,  with  the 
advice  and  consent  of  this  General  Assembly.  .  .  .” 

The  first  clause  in  the  “Act”  was  as  follows: 

“That  whatsoever  person  or  persons  within  the 
Province  and  the  Islands  thereunto  belonging  shall 
from  henceforth  blaspheme  God,  that  is  Curse  him 
or  deny  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  to  bee  the  sonne 
of  God,  or  shall  deny  the  Floly  Trinity  the  Father, 
sonne  and  holy  Ghost,  or  the  Godhead  of  any  of  the 
sd  Three  Persons  or  the  Trinity  or  the  Unity  of  the 
Godhead  or  shall  use  or  utter  any  reproachful 
Speeches,  words  or  languages  concerning  the  said 
Holy  Trinity  or  any  of  the  said  Three  persons 


1  Arch.  Md  ,  Vcl  1,  p.  244. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  II 


thereof,  shall  be  punished  with  death  and  confisca¬ 
tion  or  forfeiture  of  all  his  or  her  lands  and  goods 
to  the  Lord  Proprietary  and  his  heires.” 

The  law  further  provided  against  the  calling  of  names. 
The  enumeration  of  these  is  interesting  because  the  list 
apparently  includes  the  names  of  some  of  the  sects  then 
within  the  Province — they  are  “Heretick,  Scismatick, 
Idolator,  Puritan,  Independent,  Prespiterian,  Popish  Priest, 
Jesuit,  Jesuited  Papist,  Lutheran,  Calvinist,  Anabaptist, 
Brownist,  Antinomian,  Barrowist,  Roundhead  and  Sepa¬ 
ratist.”  The  Sabbath  was  not  to  be  profaned.  The  last 
clause  and  most  important  of  all  was  as  follows : 

“That  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  within 
this  Province,  .  .  .  ,  professing  to  believe  in 

Jesus  Christ,  shall  from  henceforth  bee  any  waies 
troubled,  Molested  or  discountenanced  for  or  in 
respect  of  his  or  her  religion  nor  in  the  free  exer¬ 
cise  thereof  within  this  Province  or  Islands  there¬ 
unto  belonging  nor  any  way  compelled  to  the  be- 
liefe  or  exercise  of  any  other  Religion  against  his 
or  her  consent,  soe  as  they  be  not  unfaithful  to 
the  Lord  Proprietary,  or  molest  or  conspire  against 
the  civil  Government  established,  or  to  be  estab¬ 
lished,  in  this  Province  under  him  or  his  heires.”1 

The  passage  of  the  “Toleration  Act”  was  published  in 
England  and  had  its  effect  on  the  migration  to  the  Province. 
Men  of  character  and  wealth  were  attracted  to  this  de¬ 
lightful  country  of  the  New  World.  The  numerous  religious 
sects,  finding  full  protection  there  in  their  religious  worship, 
lived  in  harmony  with  their  neighbors.  Maryland,  first  of  all 
the  American  colonies,  had  completed  all  the  conditions  that 
afforded  to  the  World  what  it  had  for  centuries  longed  for — 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  I,  p.  246. 


12  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Religious  Liberty.  By  persistently  adhering  to  his  original 
plan  Cecilius  Calvert  had  the  satisfaction  of  realizing 
that  his  foresight  was  good  in  avoiding  any  condition  that 
would  compromise  his  ownership  of  the  Province.  How  well 
he  and  his  successors  governed  the  Province  nearly  a  half 
century  is  told  by  McMahon.1  “Conspicuous  above  every 
other  colony  of  that  period,  for  its  uniform  regard  of 
religious  liberty,  it  had  its  reward.  Harmony,  peace  and 
prosperity,  were  the  general  results;  and  this  period  in 
the  history  of  Maryland,  may  be  truly  styled  ‘  the  golden 
age  of  its  colonial  existence.’  “ 

From  the  beginning  of  the  Province  up  to  the  Protes¬ 
tant  Revolution  in  1689  the  missionary  work  of  the  Church 
of  England  was  productive  of  very  little  result.  The  Church 
was  interested  in  the  missionary  work  in  Virginia2  but  the 
work  in  Maryland  was  hampered  by  the  provisions  of  Cal¬ 
vert’s  Charter.  Cooperation  between  the  Proprietary  and 
the  Church  was  practically  impossible.  Baltimore  neglected 
to  appoint  ministers  of  the  Church  to  “livings”  in  the 
Province.  An  effort  was  made  in  1661  in  the  Lower  House 
of  the  Provincial  Assembly  to  provide  a  “maynetenance 
for  ministers,”  but  two  days  later,  May  1st,  1661,  upon  the 
reading  of  the  bill  in  the  Upper  House,  “It  was  voted  to  be 
altogether  insufficient  and  short  of  the  thing  aimed  at.”3 
However  this  did  not  prevent  the  gradual  growth  of  the 
Church  and  throughout  the  Province  the  faithful  Church¬ 
men  held  the  regular  services  . 

On  Kent  Island  a  church  was  built  on  Broad  Creek 
about  the  year  1652.  This  was  near  where  the  Rev.  Richard 

1  McMahon  History  of  Maryland,  p.  228. 

2  “In  1629  the  Bishop  of  London  announced  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Church 
of  England  over  the  religious  affairs  of  the  Virginia  colony  on  the  James  River. 
That  was  the  beginning  of  the  official  missionary  movement  in  America,"  see 
Hawks,  Vol.  1,  p.  38. 

3  Arch.  Md  ,  Vol.  I.  p.  406. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  13 


James  had  preached  eighteen  years  earlier.  Upon  the  death 
of  the  Rev.  William  Wilkinson  in  1663,  the  Rev.  Francis 
Sourton  became  rector  of  old  Poplar  Hill  Church  in  St. 
Mary’s  County.  At  a  church  in  Baltimore  County  on 
Bush  River  the  Rev.  John  Yeo  preached  in  1683.  In  Cal¬ 
vert  County  the  Rev.  William  Mullett  held  services  in 
1684.  In  1682  in  Anne  Arundel  County  the  Rev.  Duell 
Pead  baptized  children.  The  Assembly  at  St.  Mary’s  asked 
this  same  minister,  in  October,  1683  to  preach  to  both  the 
Upper  and  Lower  Houses  on  October  14th,  1683,  which  he 
did  and  this  interesting  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
Assembly  of  the  20th  of  October,  1683,  gives  an  insight  into 
the  religious  conditions  that  obtained  at  that  time  in  the 
province.  It  is  as  follows: 

“Upper  House  20th  October,  1683. 

This  house  having  taken  into  their  serious  con¬ 
sideration  the  great  Care  and  Kindness  of  Our  Sov¬ 
ereign  Lord  the  King  in  giving  in  charge  to  the  Right 
Reverend  Father  in  God  the  Bishop  of  London  to 
Supply  this  Place  with  able  and  Devout  Ministers 
whereby  the  people  may  know  their  Duty  to  God  and 
their  Obedience  to  their  Rulers  do  request  the  Lower 
House  of  this  Assembly  to  Join  with  this  House  in 
giving  thanks  to  Mr  Duell  Pead  for  his  Learned 
Sermon  preached  before  these  two  Houses  the  14th 
Instant  and  that  some  Acceptable  Present  be  given 
him  for  the  same  and  this  House  is  willing  to  concur 
with  them  therein. 

Signed  pr.  Order  Thos.  Gounwin, 
Clerk  of  Assembly.” 

The  Lower  House  concurred  on  the  24th  of  October, 
1683,  and  gave  him  a  vote  of  thanks,  only.  The  ministers 
whom  we  have  just  mentioned  were  among  the  earliest  of  the 
clergy  to  come  to  the  province  to  engage  in  missionary  work. 


14  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Before  William  of  Orange  ascended  the  throne,  Lord 
Baltimore  is  said  to  have  opposed  the  revolution  in  England1 
which  conferred  the  crown  on  William.  The  enemies,  in 
England,  of  Lord  Baltimore  induced  the  King  to  uphold  the 
“rebellious'’  body  of  men  in  Maryland  who  had  overthrown 
in  1689  the  Proprietary’s  officials  there.  The  work  of  the 
“associators ’’  popularly  described  as  the  “Protestant  Revo¬ 
lution’’  (1689)  has  been  overfeatured  as  a  factor  in  influ¬ 
encing  the  King  to  terminate  the  rule  of  the  Calverts.  It 
was  a  factor,  but  viewed  from  Whitehall,  it  was  regarded 
more  as  an  excuse  than  as  a  cause.  The  die  had  been  cast. 

On  the  21st  of  August,  1690,  proceedings  were  insti¬ 
tuted  at  Whitehall,  London,  against  the  Charter  of  the  Cal¬ 
verts  in  order  to  “vacate  ”2  it  and  an  address  to  the  Colo¬ 
nists  under  date  of  the  12th  of  March,  1691,  was  sent  to 
Maryland  in  which  appears  the  following: 

.  .  Wee  have  thought  fitt  to  take  our  Province 

of  Maryland  under  our  immediate  care  and  Protec¬ 
tion  and  by  letters  Patents  under  the  Great  Seal  of 
England  to  appoint  our  Trusty  and  well  beloved 
Lionel  Copley,  Esq.,  of  whose  prudence  and  loyalty 
we  are  assured,  to  be  our  Governor  thereof.’’3 

This  ended  the  rule  of  the  Calverts  as  Roman  Catholics, 
and  not  until  1715,  after  the  accession  of  King  George  I,  were 
the  powers  of  government  restored  to  them.  The  then  Pro¬ 
prietary,  Charles  Calvert,  infant  son  of  Benedict  Calvert, 
Lord  Baltimore,  had  been  educated  in  “the  established 
religion  of  England  and  had  thus  become  capable  of  holding 
governmental  authorities  subordinate  to  the  Crown.’’4  He 

1  F.  L.  Hawks,  Vol.  2,  p.  57,  "Ecclesiastical  History  of  the  United  States.  ” 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  200. 

’Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  235. 

4  Kilty’s  "Landowner’s  Assistant,"  p.  163. 


Undoubtedly  standing  at  the  time  of  the  Establishment,  Ib92.  It  is  one  of  several  mammoth  oaks  that  shade  this 
beautiful  spot.  The  circumference  of  the  trunk  of  this  tree,  one  foot  above  the  ground,  is  32  feet.  The  greatest  spread 
of  branches  is  128  feet. 


I 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  15 


governed  the  province  under  the  guidance  of  his  guardian, 
Lord  Guilford. 

This  also  was  the  end  of  “Religious  Liberty”  which 
had  been  the  principal  “asset”  of  the  Calverts  and  to  which 
particular  attention  has  been  called.1  “Religious  Liberty,” 
the  child  of  expediency,  was  supplanted  by  no  weakling 
when  the  king  extended  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Church  of 
England  to  the  Province  of  Maryland.  Governor  Copley’s 
commission,  dated  February  14th,  1691,  outlined  the  policy 
he  was  to  pursue.  The  establishing  of  the  Church  of  Eng¬ 
land  by  law  was  one  of  the  first  movements  he  was  to  set 
on  foot.  The  right  of  induction  of  ministers  was  vested  in 
him  and  upon  close  examination  of  his  instructions  it  will 
be  seen  that  he  came  to  Maryland  as  the  personal  repre¬ 
sentative  of  both  the  Crown  and  the  Church  of  England. 
Notice  what  this  part  of  his  instructions  says: 

.  and  you  are  to  enquire  whether  there  be  any 
minister  within  your  Government  who  Preaches  and 
Administers  the  Sacrament  in  any  orthodox  Church 
or  Chappell  without  being  in  due  Orders  whereof 
you  are  to  give  an  account  to  the  said  Bishop  of 
London.”2 

At  the  meeting  of  the  first  Assembly,  May,  1692,  at 
the  City  of  St.  Mary’s,  after  Governor  Copley  came,  the  first 
act  passed  was  for  the  repealing  of  all  previous  laws.  This 
done,  the  Assembly  was  presented  with  the  draft  of  the  Act 
entitled  “An  Act  for  the  Service  of  Almighty  God  and  the 
Establishment  of  the  Protestant  Religion  within  this  Prov¬ 
ince.”  The  provisions  of  this  Act  had  been  thoroughly 
discussed  during  the  session,  the  first  mention  of  the  Act 
being  found  in  the  proceedings  of  May  16th,  1692.  On 
June  2nd  the  House  and  Council  both  assented  to  the  bill 

1  See  also  Act  of  1702,  p.  71,  this  book. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  276. 


lb  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


and  on  June  9th,  Governor  Copley  invited  all  the  members 
of  both  houses  to  witness  his  signature  to  this  Act.  The 
first  provision  of  the  Act  read  as  follows : 

“  Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  King  and  Queens 
most  Excellent  Majestys  by  and  with  the  advice  and 
consent  of  this  present  General  Assembly  and  the 
authority  of  the  same  That  the  Church  of  England 
within  this  Province  shall  have  and  enjoy  all  her 
Rights  Liberties  and  Franchises  wholly  inviolable  as 
is  now  or  shall  be  hereafter  Established  by  Law  and 
also  that  the  Great  Charter  of  England  be  kept  and 
observed  in  all  points.”1 

Under  the  authority  of  this  Act,  the  justices  of  each  of 
the  ten  counties  of  Maryland  were  instructed  to  meet  at 
their  respective  Court  Houses,  having  previously  given 
notice  to  the  freeholders  also  to  attend  the  meeting.  With 
the  advice  of  the  freeholders  the  counties  were  to  be  divided 
into  parishes.  The  vestrymen  elected  for  each  parish  were 
to  be  of  the  freeholders,  six  in  number,  and  the  orthodox 
minister  to  be  one  of  the  vestry  in  his  respective  parish. 
Churches  were  to  be  built  in  each  parish  and  a  tax  of  forty 
pounds  of  tobacco  was  to  be  laid  on  the  people  of  the 
province  irrespective  of  creed  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
minister.  The  provisions  of  this  Act  were  carried  out  and 
the  work  of  dividing  the  counties  into  parishes  was  com¬ 
pleted  in  the  following  year,  full  reports  of  the  work  in  each 
county  being  made  to  the  Governor  and  Council  by  the 
County  Clerks. 

The  “instructions”  to  Governor  Copley,  given  him 
upon  leaving  England,  included  a  command  to 

.  .  take  especial  care  that  God  Almighty  be 

devoutly  and  duly  served  within  your  Govern- 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  425. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  17 


ment;  the  book  of  Common  Prayer  as  it  is  now  estab¬ 
lished  read  each  Sunday  and  Holiday  and  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  administered  according  to  the  Rites  of  the 
Church  of  England.  You  shall  take  care  that  the 
churches  already  built  there  shall  be  well  and  orderly 
kept  and  more  built  as  the  Colony  by  God’s  Blessing 
be  improved  and  that  besides  a  competent  mainte¬ 
nance  be  assigned  to  the  minister  of  each  church, 
a  convenient  house  built  at  the  common  charge  for 
each  minister.  You  are  not  to  prefer  any  minister 
to  any  Ecclesiastical  Benefice  in  that  Our  Province 
without  a  certificate  from  the  Right  Reverend  the 
Bishop  of  London  of  his  being  conformable  to  the 
doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  Church  of  England  and 
of  a  good  life  and  conversation.”1 

The  reports  to  the  Assembly  in  1694  made  by  the 
Justices  of  the  ten  different  counties  of  the  Province  showed 
that  there  were  then  thirty  parishes,  twenty-two  churches 
and  nine  ministers. 

Upon  the  death  of  Governor  Copley,2  Sir  Francis  Nich¬ 
olson  was  sent  out  as  Governor  of  the  Province,3  and  to 
him  the  work  of  building  up  the  Church  was  a  pleasure. 
He  wrote  to  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Plantation  in  March, 
1697,  as  follows: — 

“There  was  a  law  passed  in  the  late  Governor 
Copley’s  time  for  establishing  the  Church  of 
England  which  his  Majesty  in  Councill  was  pleased 
to  disapprove  and  disallow  of  <5zc;  But  there  is 
another  law  now  sent  to  your  Lordships,  and  you 
may  please  to  see  by  the  Journals  of  the  Assembly, 
what  difficulties  I  met  with  about  it.  When  I  came 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  276. 

2  September  9th,  1693. 

3  Gov.  Nicholson  arrived  in  the  province  in  July,  1694. 


18  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


hither  I  found  very  few  of  the  Churches  built,  but 
I  hope  in  God  that  they  will  be  all  finished  this 
year,  and  then  we  shall  want  Clergymen,  and  a  Com¬ 
missary  to  inspect  the  Church  affairs,  for  whose 
maintenance  an  Act  is  passed,  and  now  sent  to  your 
Lordships.  My  Lord  Bishop  of  London  hath  prom¬ 
ised  to  send  an  able  Commissary  and  some  good 
Clergymen.”1 

Governor  Nicholson  took  the  greatest  interest  in  per¬ 
fecting  the  Establishment  and  offered  by  way  of  an  in¬ 
centive  “that  if  a  way  can  be  found  out  to  build  a  house 
in  every  parish  for  the  ministers,  his  Excellency  (Nichol¬ 
son)  does  propose  to  give  five  pounds  sterling  towards 
building  every  such  house  begun  in  his  Excellency's  time.” 
His  influence  was  the  strongest  help  the  Church  of  England 
had  in  Maryland  at  that  time.  The  expenses  of  transpor¬ 
tation  of  the  ministers  into  the  province  was  allowed  them 
and  in  the  year  1697,  nine  more  clergymen  came  into  the 
colony,  making  in  all  eighteen.2 

The  time  had  now  arrived  for  a  personal  representa¬ 
tive  of  the  Bishop  of  London  to  take  charge  of  the  affairs 
of  the  Church.  Dr.  Thomas  Bray  was  one  of  the  greatest 
of  the  missionaries  ever  sent  out  from  England  and  was 
noted  for  his  godliness  and  great  intelligence.  Born  1656 
at  Marton,  Shropshire,  he  was  educated  at  Oxford.  After 
serving  as  rector  of  Sheldon  for  a  number  of  years  (during 
these  years  he  was  devoting  much  of  his  time  to  collecting 
libraries  for  the  use  of  the  missionaries),  he  was  sent 
to  Maryland  by  Bishop  Compton,  then  Lord  Bishop  of 
London,  to  settle  the  affairs  of  the  infant  Church.3  Doctor 
Bray  left  England  on  December  20th,  1699,  and  arrived 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  82. 

2  See  Section  VII  for  list  of  Churches  and  Clergy  in  1696. 

3  Encyclo.  Brit.,  ‘‘Dr.  Bray." 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  19 


in  Maryland  in  March  following.  Going  at  once  to  An¬ 
napolis,  he  summoned  the  clergy  to  a  “visitation,”  which 
was  held  in  that  city  on  May  23rd,  1700.  There  were 
present  seventeen  clergymen  representing  fifteen  of  the 
parishes.  To  these  he  delivered  a  charge  and  gave  them 
instructions  in  their  clerical  work.  This  good  man  was  able 
so  to  impress  the  importance  of  the  Establishment  upon 
both  the  clergy  and  the  Assembly  that  the  work  received 
a  great  impetus. 

After  a  short  period  (less  than  six  months)  of  hard 
work  in  the  Province  in  the  interest  of  the  Church,  Doctor 
Bray  returned  to  England  to  help  in  getting  a  law  passed 
that  would  firmly  establish  the  Church  in  Maryland. 
Those  laws  for  the  Establishment  which  the  Assembly 
passed  in  1692,  1696  and  1700  had  defects  which  caused 
their  “disallowance”  by  the  King  when  they  were  pre¬ 
sented  in  council  at  Whitehall.  Doctor  Bray,  having  had  the 
intimate  knowledge  of  the  conditions  in  the  Province  as  well 
as  of  the  requirements  necessary  to  have  the  law  passed  at  the 
King's  Council,  advised  the  Assembly  at  Annapolis  first  to 
have  the  law  framed  by  the  Commissioners  of  Trade  and 
Plantation  in  England  and  then  to  pass  it  as  it  came  from 
them.  Doctor  Bray  gave  his  personal  attention  to  the 
law,  and  when  the  Assembly  convened  at  Annapolis  in 
March,  1702, Governor  Nathaniel  Blackistone  instructed  the 
members  of  the  Assembly  to  “fill  in  the  blanks  and  pass  the 
bill  without  amendment."  This  was  done!  The  Assembly 
adjourned  on  the  25th  of  March,  1702,  having  passed  the 
“Act  for  the  Establishment  of  Religious  worship  in  this 
Province  According  to  the  Church  of  England  and  for  the 
Maintainance  of  Ministers.”  By  that  act  the  Church  in 
Maryland  was  governed,  for  over  seventy  years — until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Revolutionary  War  in  1775. 


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SHOWING 

TEN  COUNTIES  AND  THIRTY  PARISHES  AS  LAID  OUT  IN  1692-1694 
IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  LAW  OF  1692  ESTABLISHING 

THE  CHURCH  OF  ENGLAND 

AND  ALSO  SHOWING 

THE  LOCATIONS  OF  THE  PRESENT  CHURCHES  OF  THE  STATE 

COMPILED  BY 

PERCY  G.  SKIRVEN 

TO  ACCOMPANY 

“THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND” 

PUBLISHED  BY 

THE  NORMAN,  REMINGTON  COMPANY,  BALTIMORE 

1923 


Wood  DUCT 


MAP  OF 

[RYL  4 


N  THE  SEA 


DIOCESE  OF  MARYLAND 
Harford  County,  Maryland 
Baltimore  “ 

Baltimore  City, 

Carroll  County, 

Howard  “ 

Anne  Arundel  County,  “ 
Calvert 
Frederick 
Washington 
Alleghany 
Garrett 

The  Diocese  of  Maryland  originally  (1783) 
comprised  the  whole  of  the  State  of  Mary¬ 
land  and  the  District  of  Columbia. 


BISHOP'S  RESIDENCE, 

UNIVERSITY  PARKWAY. 

BALTIMORE 


DIOCESE  OF  EASTON 

{erected  ieee> 

Cecil  County,  Maryland 
Kent 

Queen  Annes  County,  Maryland 
Talbot 
Caroline 
Dorchester 
Somerset 
Wicomico 
Worcester 


DIOCESE  OF  WASHINGTON 

(ERECTED  1895) 

District  of  Columbia 
Montgomery  County,  Maryland 
Prince  George’s  “ 

Charles 
St.  Mary’s 


BISHOP'S  RESIDENCE, 

EASTON, 

MD. 


BISHOP'S  RESIDENCE. 

MT.  ST.  ALBAN'S 

WASHINGTON, 

D.  C. 


Owing  to  lack  of  space  the  names  of  churches  in 
Baltimore  and  Washington  are  not  shown  on  the  map. 

A  list  of  these  churches  will  be  found  in  the  index. 

SYMBOLS 

^  Red  church  indicates  location  of  parish  churches 
of  the  30  original  parishes. 

Same  with  black  cross  indicates  that  churches  on 
these  sites  are  now  in  use. 

T  Black  cross  indicates  location  of  churches  in  1922. 


SCALE:  GnofmVn  -  8  miles  =  one  inch 

t-T  U  t-?  U  T  -  f 


c 


PART  II. 


PAPERS  RELATING  TO  THE  RELIGIOUS  CONDI¬ 
TIONS  THAT  OBTAINED  IN  THE  PROVINCE 
PRIOR  TO  THE  ESTABLISHMENT. 


Queries  from  Whitehall  and  Answers  by  Lord  Baltimore, 
Address  to  King  William,  Instructions  to  Governor 
Copley,  Names  of  Associate rs,  1690,  Members  of 
Council  and  Assembly,  1692,  Changes  in  Per¬ 
sonnel,  Laws  Repealed,  1692,  etc.,  etc. 


I 


QUERIES  ABOUT  MARYLAND  PROPOUND¬ 
ED  BY  THE  COMMISSIONERS  OF 
TRADE  AND  PLANTATION. 

“At  the  Committee  of  Trade  and  Plantations,  Monday 
the  10th  of  Aprill  1676  at  the  Robes  Chamber  in  Whitehall. 

Present 

Lord  Privy  Seale  Earle  of  Craven 

Duke  of  Ormond  Mr  Secty  Williamson 

Earle  of  Carlisle 

There  was  also  prepared  the  draft  of  a  letter  to  the 
Lords  Proprietors  of  Carolina,  the  Lord  Baltimore  Pro¬ 
prietor  of  Maryland,  Sir  George  Carteret  Proprietor  of 
New  Jersey,  and  to  the  Bermudas  Company,  setting  forth 
how  that  the  plantation  business  (managed  lately  by  a 
particular  Councill)  was  now  referred  by  his  Majesty  to  a 
Committee  of  his  Privy  Councill,  and  that  their  Lordships 
might  be  enabled  to  inform  his  Majesty  touching  the  con¬ 
dition  of  those  Colonies.  Their  Lordships  do  send  them 
some  heads  of  Enquiry,  upon  which  they  are  to  return  an 
accompt.’’1 

“Their  Lordships  on  the  10th  of  April  sign  a  Circular 
letter  w1^  severall  Heads  of  Inquiry  to  the  Lord  Baltimore 
Lord  Proprietary  of  Maryland.2 

The  letter  followeth. 

After  our  very  hearty  commendacons 
to  your  Lordship.  His  Majesty  having  in  his  wis¬ 
dom  thought  fit  to  supersede  the  Commission  by 
which  his  Council  of  Trade  &  Forreign  Plantations 
lately  acted  &  thereby  restoring  all  the  business  of 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  5,  p.  125. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  5,  p.  128. 

23 


24  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


that  nature  to  its  accustomed  Chanel  of  a  Com¬ 
mittee  of  his  Privy  Council.  And  his  majty  having 
more  especially  committed  to  a  select  number  of  the 
Board,  whereof  we  are,  the  care  and  management  of 
things  relating  to  his  Plantations,  we  have  therefore 
thought  it  convenient  to  give  your  Lordsp  advir- 
tisnfi  thereof.  And  because  we  do  not  as  yet  find 
ourselves  enabled  to  give  his  Matie  such  account  of 
the  State  &  Condition  of  that  Colony  as  his  Royall 
service  <3z  the  dependence  thereof  upon  the  Crown 
does  require.  We  have  therefore  thought  fit  to  send 
your  Ldp  (as  we  have  done  to  others)  some  Heads  of 
Inquiry  here  anext,  the  better  to  guide  your  Lord- 
ship  in  the  method  of  that  state  and  representation 
of  things  which  we  expect  from  your  Lordship,  and 
do  desire  it  may  be  done  with  all  convenient  speed. 

And  soe  not  doubting  of  your  Lordships  care  to 
advise  us  farther  in  all  matters  that  may  from  time 
to  time  conduce  to  his  maties  service,  8z  our  better 
discharge  of  the  trust  reposed  in  us. 

We  bid  your  Lordship  very  hearty  farewell.” 

The  questions  most  important  to  the  subject  are: 

“From  the  Council  Chamber  at  Whitehall1 
This  Tenth  of  April  1676” 

No.  11.  Trade  Building.  What  are  the  principal  Towns 
and  Places  of  trade.  And  what  manner  of  Build¬ 
ings  are  most  used  in  your  Colony  as  to  the 
strength  and  largeness  of  them. 

No.  12.  Parishes.  How  many  Parishes,  Precincts  or 
Divisions  are  within  your  Lordship’s  Province? 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  5,  p.  128. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  25 


No.  18. 


No.  19. 


No.  20. 


No.  26. 


No.  27. 


Christenings.  What  number  of  Whites,  Blacks 
or  Mulattos  have  been  born  and  Christened  for 
these  seven  years  last  past,  or  any  other  space 
of  time  for  as  many  years  as  you  are  able  to  state 
an  account  of? 

Marriages.  What  number  of  Mariages  for 
seaven  years  last  past  or  any  other  time,  for  as 
many  years  as  you  are  able  to  state  an  account 
of? 

Burials.  What  number  of  people  have  yearly 
dyed  within  your  Province  for  seaven  years  past 
or  any  other  time,  for  as  many  years  as  you  are 
able  to  state  an  account  of  ? 

Religion.  What  persuasion  in  Religious  mat¬ 
ters  is  most  prevalent;  and  among  the  varieties 
which  you  are  to  express  which  proportion  in  mem¬ 
bers  and  quality  of  people  the  one  holds  to  the 
other. 


Church:  What  course  is  taken  for  the  instruct¬ 
ing  of  the  people  in  the  Christian  Religion?  How 
many  Churches  and  Ministers  are  there  within 
your  Province  and  how  many  are  yet  wanting  for 
the  accommodation  of  your  Colony?  What  pro¬ 
vision  is  there  made  for  their  maintenance  as  also 
for  relieving  the  poor  decayed  and  impotent  per¬ 
sons?  And  whether  you  have  any  Beggars  or  idle 
Vagabonds?” 


26  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


RELIGIOUS  CONDITIONS  IN  THE  PROVINCE  OF 

MARYLAND  1676 

Writing  from  the  Patuxent  river  section  of  the  Province 
under  date  of  25th  May  1676,  the  Rev.  John  Yeo,  a  Church 
of  England  clergyman,  labouring  as  a  missionary  in  Mary¬ 
land  at  that  time,  calls  thea  ttention  of  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury  to  the  religious  situation  which  confronted 
him.  His  letter  is  in  part  as  follows: 

“Most  Reverend  Father: 

Please  to  Pardon  this  Presumption  of  Mine  in 
presenting  to  your  serious  view  these  Rude  indi¬ 
gested  lines  wch  (with  humble  submission)  are  to  ac¬ 
quaint  yor  Grace  with  the  Deplorable  estate  &  con¬ 
dition  of  the  Province  of  Maryland  for  want  of  an 
established  Ministry,  here  are  in  this  Province  tenn 
or  twelve  County’s  &  in  them  at  least  twenty 
thousand  soules  &  but  three  Protestant  ministers  of 
us  th'  are  Conformable  to  the  Doctrine  &  Discipline 
of  the  Church  of  England.” 

He  writes  of  those  who  pretend  they  are  ministers 
and  states  that  they  are  not  qualified  and 

“for  the  most  part  such  as  never  understood  any¬ 
thing  of  learning  &  yet  take  upon  themselves  to  be 
Dispensers  of  the  Word  &  to  administer  Sacrament  of 
Baptisme  sow  seeds  of  Divission  amongst  the 
People  noe  law  Provided  for  the  Suppression  of 
such  in  this  Province  soe  tN  here  is  a  great  neces¬ 
sity  of  able  <Sz  learned  men  to  confute  the  gaine 
sayer  especially  having  so  many  Profest  enemies  as 
the  Popish  Priests  &  Jesuits  are,  who  are  encour¬ 
aged  &  Provided  for  the  Quaker  takes  care  & 
provides  for  those  that  are  Speakers  in  their  Con- 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  27 


venticles,  but  noe  care  is  taken  or  Provision  made 
for  the  building  up  Christians  in  the  Protestant  Re¬ 
ligion  by  means  whereof  not  only  many  Dayly  fall 
away  either  to  Popery,  Quakerism  or  Phanaticisme 
but  also  the  Lord’s  Day  is  prophaned,  Religion  dis- 
pised,  &  all  notorious  vices  committed  soe  th*  it  is 
become  a  Sodom  of  uncleaness  and  a  Pest  house  of 
iniquity. 

I  doubt  not  but  yor  Grace  will  take  it  into 
Consideration  &  do  yor  utmost  for  our  Eternal!  wel¬ 
fare,  &  now  is  the  time  th*  yor  Grace  may  be  an 
instrument  of  a  universal  reformation  amongst  us 
with  greatest  facillity.  Cacillius  Lord  Barron  Balti¬ 
more  &  Absolute  Proprietor  of  Maryland  being  dead 
and  Charles  Lord  Barron  of  Baltimore  Szourgovernor 
being  bound  for  England  this  year  (as  I  am  In¬ 
formed)  to  Receive  a  farther  confirmation  of  that 
Province  from  his  Majestie  at  whch  time  I  doubt 
but  yor  Grace  may  soe  prevaile  with  him  as  thc  a 
maintenance  for  a  Protestant  ministry  may  be  es¬ 
tablished  as  well  in  this  Province  as  in  Virginia, 
Barbadoes  and  all  other  his  Majesties  Plantations 
etc.,  etc. 

Yor  Most  Obedient  Son  &  Servc 

John  Yeo. 

To 

The  Most  Reverend  Father  in  God 
Gilbert  by  Divine  Providence 
Lord  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 
and 

Metropolitan  of  England 
at  his  Palace  at  Lambith.”1 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  5,  p.  130. 


28  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


The  letter  was  received  in  due  course  by  the  Arch- 
Bishop  and  being  convinced  of  the  earnestness  of  the 
appeal  wrote  to  the  Bishop  of  London  as  follows: 

“Croydon,1 
August  2nd  1676. 

My  Lord : 

The  enclosed  came  lately  unto  me,  and  from  a 
person  altogether  unknown.  The  design  there  in 
proposed,  seem’s  very  honest  and  is  in  itself  so 
laudable  that  I  conceive  it  concerns  us  by  all  means 
to  promote  it : 

If  your  Lordship  shall  please  to  remember  it, 
when  the  Lord  Baltimores  affaires  comes  to  be  con¬ 
sidered  of  at  the  Councel  Table,  I  make  no  question 
but  there  may  be  a  convenient  opportunity  to  ob¬ 
tain  some  settled  revenue  for  the  ministry  of  that 
place  as  well  as  the  other  plantations;  when  that  is 
once  done,  it  will  be  no  difficult  matter  for  us  to 
supply  them  with  such  as  are  of  competent  abilities 
to  undertake  the  employment  and  with  all  such  as 
we  know  to  be  both  regular  and  conformable. 

I  bid  your  Lordship  heartily  farewel  and  am 
My  Lord  your  Lordships 

Most  affect:  Friend  and  Brother 
Gilb:  Cant:’’ 

No  action  was  taken  upon  the  matter  until  the  meet¬ 
ing  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  and  Plantation  on  July  19,  16772 
at  which  meeting  Lord  Baltimore  appeared  before  the 
Board  in  person.  The  minutes  of  that  meeting  state — 
“On  reading  a  letter  from  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 
to  the  Bishop  of  London,  Lord  Baltimore  presented  a 
paper3  setting  forth  the  present  religion  in  Maryland.” 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  5,  p.  132. 

2  Calendar  of  State  Papers,  America  and  West  Indies,  Vol.  1677-1678,  p.  121 . 

3  See  Lord  Baltimore’s  Paper  on  next  page. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  29 


“WHEREUPON  THE  LORD  BALTIMORE  PRESENTS 
A  PAPER  SETTING  FORTH  THE  PRESENT 
STATE  OF  RELIGION  IN 
MARYLAND,  VIZT 

That  for  the  encouragement  of  all  such  persons  as 
were  desirous  and  willing  to  adventure  and  transport  them¬ 
selves  &  families  into  the  Province  of  Maryland  a  law 
there  made  by  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Delegates  of 
the  Freemen  concerning  Religion,  wherein  a  toleration  is 
given  to  all  persons  believing  in  Jesus  Christ  freely  to 
exercise  their  Religion  that  no  person  of  what  judge¬ 
ment  soever,  believing  as  aforesaid  should  at  any  time  be 
molested  or  discountenanced  for  or  in  respect  of  his  Re¬ 
ligion  or  in  the  free  exercise  thereof  and  that  noe  one  should 
be  compelled  to  the  beliefe  or  exercise  of  any  other  [Re¬ 
ligion]  against  his  consent.  Upon  this  Act  the  greatest 
part  of  the  people  and  Inhabitants  now  in  Maryland  have 
setled  themselves  &  families  there  &  for  these  many  years 
this  toleration  &  liberty  has  been  known  &  continued  in  the 
Government  of  that  Province. 

That  those  persons  of  the  Church  of  England  there 
who  at  any  time  have  encouraged  any  ministers  to  come 
over  into  that  Province  have  had  several  sent  unto  them 
as  at  this  time  there  are  residing  there  foure  that  the  Ld 
Baltimore  knows  of  who  have  Plantations  &  settled  beings 
of  their  owne  and  those  that  have  not  any  such  beings  are 
maintained  by  a  voluntary  contribution  of  those  of  their 
own  persuasion,  as  others  of  the  Presbiterians,  Indepen¬ 
dents,  Anabaptists,  Quakers  &  Romish  Church  are. 

That  in  every  Country  [county?]  in  the  Province  of 
Maryland  there  are  a  sufficient  number  of  Churches  and 

1  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  V.  p.  133,  July  19,  1677. 


30  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Houses  called  Meeting  Houses  for  the  people  there  and 
these  have  been  built  and  are  still  kept  in  good  repaire  by  a 
free  and  voluntary  contribution  of  all  such  as  frequent  the 
said  Churches  and  Meeting  Houses.  That  the  Laws  of 
that  Province  have  been  ever  made  by  the  advice  and  con¬ 
sent  of  the  Freemen  by  their  Delegates  assembled  as  well 
as  by  the  Proprietor  and  his  Council  and  without  the  con¬ 
sent  of  all  these  no  law  there  has  been  made. 

That  the  Laws  of  that  Province  have  been  ever  made 
by  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Freemen  by  their  Dele¬ 
gates  assembled  as  well  as  by  the  Proprietor  and  his 
Councill  and  without  the  consent  of  all  these  no  Law  there 
has  been  made. 

The  greatest  part  of  the  Inhabitants  of  that  Province 
(three  of  four  at  least)  doe  consist  of  Presbiterians,  Inde¬ 
pendents,  Anabaptists  and  Quakers,  those  of  the  Church 
of  England  as  well  as  those  of  the  Romish  being  the  fewest, 
so  that  it  will  be  a  most  difficult  task  to  draw  such  persons 
to  consent  unto  a  Law,  which  shall  compel  them  to  main¬ 
tain  ministers  of  a  contrary  persuasion  to  themselves, 
they  having  already  an  assurance  by  that  Act  for  Religion 
that  they  have  all  freedom  in  point  of  Religion  and  Divine 
Worship  and  noe  penalties  or  payments  imposed  upon 
them  in  that  particular.  That  in  Carolina,  New  Jersey  and 
Roade  Island,  the  Inhabitants  for  the  peopling  of  those 
places  have  had  and  still  have  the  same  toleration  that 
those  in  Maryland  have.” 

After  the  submission  of  the  foregoing  paper  by  Lord 
Baltimore  the  minutes  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  and  Plan¬ 
tation  have  the  following  entry: 

“Whereupon  their  Lordships  sign  a  letter  to  Lord 
Baltimore  as  follows: 

Have  received  very  credible  information  that 
many  inhabitants  of  Maryland  live  very  dissolute 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  31 


lives,  committing  notorious  vices  and  prophaning 
the  Lord’s  Day.  Hope  there  are  sufficient  Laws  to 
restrain  and  punish  such  evil  lives  and  oblige  men 
to  live  at  least  like  Christians,  though  not  of  the 
same  profession.  If  the  laws  be  full  enough  desire 
his  Lordsp  to  have  them  put  in  execution,  or,  if 
defective  to  pass  such  laws  as  the  occassion  requires. 

Have  reason  to  believe  this  wicked  kind  of 
living  proceed  from  there  being  no  certain  estab¬ 
lished  allowance  for  ministers  of  the  gospel,  espe¬ 
cially  of  the  Protestant  religion  according  to  the 
Church  of  England,  the  cause  of  a  great  want  of 
able  ministers.  Know  how  necessary  it  is  to  have 
this  want  supplied  without  imposing  any  burthen 
upon  the  inhabitants  that  they  are  willing  freely  to 
settle,  therefore  desire  his  Lordsp  to  write  to  the 
Governor  and  Council  of  Maryland  to  send  over  an 
account  of  the  number  of  Protestant  ministers  of 
the  Church  of  England  and  their  allowances,  also  of 
the  number  of  Protestant  families  and  the  value  of 
their  Plantations  and  how  many  congregations  they 
make  up;  also  to  inquire  what  each  congregation  will 
freely  settle  for  the  maintenance  of  an  able  minister 
which,  when  agreed  upon,  to  be  enacted  into  a  law 
as  in  His  Majesty’s  other  Plantations. 

Would  likewise  be  glad  to  have  account  of  the 
number  of  ministers  or  teachers  of  dissenters  and 
their  allowances,  and  of  the  number  of  the  planters, 
their  persuasions,  and  the  number  of  each  per¬ 
suasion.”1 

Lord  Baltimore’s  answers  to  the  “Quiries”  which 
appear  on  page  24,  and  to  the  above  letter  are  set  forth  in 
part  as  follows; 

1  Calendar  of  State  Papers,  America  and  West  Indies,  Vol.  2.  1677-1678,  p.  121 


32  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


ANSWER  OF  LORD  BALTIMORE  TO  THE  QUERIES 
ABOUT  MARYLAND  PROPOUNDED  BY 
COMMISSIONERS  OF  TRADE  AND 
PLANTATION 

26th  March  1678 

“Answer  to  No.  11 — Trade  Building  and  No.  12 — 
Parishes.  1 

The  people  there  [Maryland]  not  affecting  to 
build  nere  each  other  but  soe  as  to  have  their 
houses  nere  the  water  for  convenience  of  trade 
and  their  lands  on  each  side  of  and  behind  their 
houses  by  which  it  happens  that  in  most  places 
there  are  not  fifty  houses  in  the  space  of  thirty 
miles.  And  for  this  reason  it  is  that  they  have 
been  hitherto  only  able  to  divide  the  Province 
into  Counties  without  being  able  to  make  any 
subdivisions  into  Parishes  or  precincts  which  is  a 
work  not  to  be  effected  until  it  shall  please  God 
to  increase  the  number  of  the  people  and  so  to 
alter  their  trade  as  to  make  it  necessary  to  build 
more  close  and  to  live  in  towns.’’2 

“Answer  to  No.  18. — Christenings;  to  No.  19. — Mar¬ 
riages;  to  No.  20, — Burials;  to  No.  26. — Religion  and  to 
No.  27  Churches ,3 

Secondly — That  having  as  yet  no  further 
divisions  of  the  said  Province  than  into  Counties, 
nor  in  truth  any  possibility  of  making  as  yet  any 
further  subdivisions  into  Parishes  for  the  reasons 
before  given,  there  is  no  way  to  be  found  to  make 
calculations  to  satisfy  these  inquiries  without  tak¬ 
ing  a  very  great  time  and  making  such  scrutinies 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  5,  p.  129. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  5 ,  p.  266. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  5,  p.  129. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  33 


as  would  certainly  either  endanger  insurrections  or 
a  general  dispeopling  of  the  Province  which  is  at 
present  in  great  peace  and  quiet,  all  persons  there 
being  secured  to  their  content  for  quiet  enjoyment 
of  everything  that  they  can  reasonably  desire. 

The  reasons  why  such  scrutinies  would  be 
thus  dangerous  is  that  viz"  That  at  the  first 
planting  of  the  Province  by  my  father  albeit  he 
had  an  absolute  liberty  given  to  him  and  his  heirs 
to  carry  thither  any  persons  of  any  of  the  Do¬ 
minions  that  belonged  to  the  Crown  of  England 
who  should  be  found  willing  to  go  thither;  yet 
when  he  came  to  make  use  of  this  liberty  he  found 
very  few  who  were  included  to  go  and  seat  them¬ 
selves  in  those  parts  but  such  as  for  some  reason 
or  other  could  not  live  with  ease  in  other  places. 
And  of  these  a  great  part  were  such  as  could  not 
conform  in  all  particulars  to  the  several  laws  of 
England  relating  to  Religion. 

Many  there  were  of  this  sort  of  people  who 
declared  their  willingness  to  go  and  plant  them¬ 
selves  in  this  Province  so  as  they  might  have  a 
General  Toleration  settled  there  by  a  law  by  which 
all  of  all  sorts  who  professed  Christianity  in  general 
might  be  at  liberty  to  worship  God  in  such  man¬ 
ner  as  was  most  agreeable  with  their  respective 
judgments  and  consciences  without  being  subject 
to  any  penalties  whatsoever  for  their  so  doing 
provided  the  civil  peace  were  preserved.  And  that 
for  the  securing  the  civil  peace  and  preventing  all 
heats  feuds  which  were  generally  observed  to 
happen  amongst  such  as  differ  in  opinions  upon 
occasion  of  reproachful  nicknames  and  reflecting 
upon  each  others  opinions  it  might  by  the  same 


34  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


law  be  made  penal  to  give  any  offence  in  that  kind, 
these  were  the  conditions  proposed  by  such  as 
were  willing  to  go  and  be  the  first  planters  of  the 
Province.  And  without  the  complying  with  these 
conditions  in  all  probability  this  Province  had 
never  been  planted. 

To  these  conditions  my  father  agreed  and 
accordingly  soon  after  the  first  planting  of  this 
Province  these  conditions  by  the  unanimous  con¬ 
sent  of  all  who  were  concerned  were  passed  into  a  law 
and  the  inhabitants  of  this  Province  have  found 
such  effects  from  this  law  and  from  the  strict  ob¬ 
servance  of  it,  as  well  in  relation  to  their  quiet 
as  in  relation  to  the  farther  peopling  of  the  Prov¬ 
ince  that  they  look  on  it  as  that  whereon  alone 
depends  the  preservation  of  their  peace,  their  prop¬ 
erties  and  their  liberties. 

This  being  the  true  state  of  the  case  of  this 
Province  it  is  easy  to  judge  what  consequences 
might  ensue  upon  any  scrutinies  which  should  be 
made  in  order  to  the  satisfying  these  particular 
inquiries.”1 


Aren.  Md.,  Vol.  5,  pp.  267-9. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  3  5 


ADDRESS  TO  KING  WILLIAM  III. 

“The  address  of  the  Representatives  of  their  Majestie’s1 
Protestant  Subjects  in  the  Province  of  Maryland  as¬ 
sembled. 

To  the  Kings  most  excellent  Majestie — 2 

Whereas  we  are  with  all  humility  fully  assured 
that  the  benefitt  of  your  Majestie’s  glorious  un¬ 
dertakings,  and  blessed  success  for  the  Protestant 
Religion,  and  civil  rights  and  liberties  of  your  Sub¬ 
jects,  was  graciously  intended  to  be  extensive  as  well 
to  this  remote  part,  as  to  all  others  of  your  Majes- 
tie's  Territorys  and  Countreys,  being  thereby  influ¬ 
enced  to  express  our  utmost  zeal  and  endeavors  for 
your  Majestie’s  service  and  the  Protestant  Re¬ 
ligion,  here  of  late  notoriously  opposed,  and  your 
Majestie’s  sovereign  dominion  and  Right  to  this 
your  Majestie’s  Province  of  Maryland  invaded  and 
undermined  by  our  late  Popish  Governors  their 
Agents  and  Complices. 

Wee  your  Majestie’s  most  dutifull  and  loyall 
Subjects  of  the  said  Province  being  assembled  as  the 
Representative  Body  of  the  same;  doe  humbly  pray 
your  Majestie’s  graceous  consideration  of  the  great 
grievances  and  expressions  wee  have  long  layne  under, 
lately  represented  to  your  Majestie  and  directed 
to  your  Majestie’s  principall  Secretary  of  State, 
in  a  certain  Declaration  from  the  Commanders, 
Officers  and  Gentlemen  in  Armes  for  your  Majestie’s 
service  and  defence  of  the  Protestant  Religion. 

And  that  your  Majesty  would  be  graciously 
pleased  in  such  waies  and  methods  as  to  your 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  239. 

2  Why  was  Queen  Mary  left  out? 


36  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Princely  wisdom  shall  seem  meete,  to  appoynt  such 
a  deliverance  to  your  suffering  People,  whereby  for 
the  future,  our  religion,  rights  and  libertyes  may  be 
secured  under  a  Protestant  Government  by  your 
gracious  direction  specially  to  be  appointed. 

Wee  will  waite  with  all  becoming  duty  and  loyalty 
your  Majestie’s  pleasure  herein,  and  will  in  the  mean 
time  (to  the  hazard  of  our  lives  and  fortunes)  perse¬ 
vere  and  continue  to  vindicate  and  defend  your 
Majestie’s  rights  and  soveraigne  Dominion  over 
this  Province,  the  Protestant  Religion  and  the 
Civil  Rights  and  libertys  of  your  Majestie’s  Sub¬ 
jects  here  against  all  manner  of  attempts  and  oppo¬ 
sitions  whatsoever,  Hereby  unanimously  declaring 
that  as  we  have  a  full  sense  of  the  blessings  of 
heaven  upon  your  Majestie’s  generous  undertake- 
ings,  soe  we  will  endeavor  to  express  our  due 
gratitude  for  the  same  as  becomes  Professors  of 
the  best  of  Religions,  and  Subjects  to  the  best  of 
Princes.1 

Maryland — dated  in  the  Assembly 
sitting  at  the  State  House  in  the  City  of 
Sc  Maryes  the  4th  day  of  Septr  1689 
in  the  first  year  of  their  Majestie’s  reign.’’ 

Endorsed 

“Maryland 
4th  Septr  1689 

Address  of  the  Assembly  to  the  King 
Rec’d  31  Decr  1 689. ”2 

1  Bernard  C.  Steiner  says  “they  ask  to  be  made  a  royal  province.”  See 
“The  Protestant  Revolution  in  Maryland.”  Reports  Am.  Hist.  Assoc.,  1897. 

2  There  are  those  who  doubt  the  sincerity  of  this  appeal  to  establish  the 
Church  of  England  in  the  Province  of  Maryland  but  the  personnel  of  the 
Assembly  of  1689  leads  me  to  believe  that  the  appeal  was  an  honest  expression 
of  a  desire  for  relief  from  a  difficult  situation. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  37 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  GOV.  LIONEL  COPLEY1'2 
August  26th,  1691. 

“Where  being  arrived  you  are  forthwith  to  call 
together  the  Members  of  our  Councill  for  that  our  Province 
and  Territory  By  name, 

Sir  Thomas  Lawrence  KL  and  Barc., 

Henry  Jowles 
Nehemiah  Blackiston 
Nicholas  Greenbury 
Charles  Hutchins 
Charles  Robotharn 
David  Browne 
Thomas  Tench 
John  Addison 
John  Coates 
James  Frisby 
and 

Thomas  Brooks,  Esq. 

And  that  God  Almighty  may  be  more  inclined  to 
bestow  his  blessing  upon  us  and  you  in  the  welfare  and  im¬ 
provement  of  that  our  Province  you  shall  take  especiall  care 
that  He  be  devoutly  and  duly  served  within  your  Govern¬ 
ment,  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  as  it  is  now  estab¬ 
lished  Read  each  Sunday  and  holiday  and  the  blessed 
Sacrament  administered  according  to  the  Rites  of  the 
Church  of  England. 

You  shall  take  care  that  the  Churches  already  built 
there  shall  be  well  and  orderly  kept  and  more  built  as 
the  Colony  shall  by  God’s  blessing  be  improved  and  that 
besides  a  competent  maintenance  to  be  assigned  to  the 
Minister  of  each  Church  a  convenient  house  be  built  at 
the  common  charge  for  each  Minister. 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  271. 

2  Arch.  Md..  Vol.  8,  p.  276.  See  also  Commission  of  Gov.  Lionel  Copley. 


38  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


You  are  not  to  preferr  any  Minister  to  any  Ecclesi- 
asticall  Benefice  in  that  Our  Province  without  a  Certificate 
from  the  Right  Reverend  the  Bishop  of  London  of  his 
being  conformable  to  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the 
Church  of  England  of  a  good  life  and  conversation,  And 
if  any  Person  already  preferred  shall  appear  to  you  to 
give  scandall  either  by  his  doctrine  or  manners  you  are  to 
use  the  best  means  for  the  removall  of  him  and  to  supply 
the  vacancy  in  such  manner  as  we  have  directed. 

And  you  are  to  give  Order  forthwith  if  the  same  be 
not  already  done,  that  every  Orthodox  Minister  within 
your  Government  be  one  of  the  Vestry  in  his  respective 
Parish  and  that  no  vestry  be  held  without  him  except  in 
case  of  sickness  or  that  after  notice  of  a  vestry  summoned 
he  absent  himself. 

And  you  are  to  enquire  whether  there  be  any  Minister 
within  your  Government  who  Preaches  and  Administers  the 
Sacrament  in  any  Orthodox  Church  or  Chapel  without 
being  in  due  Orders,  whereof  you  are  to  give  an  account 
to  the  said  Bishop  of  London. 

And  to  the  end  the  Eccliasticall  Jurisdiction  of  the 
said  Bishop  of  London  may  take  place  in  that  our  Province 
as  far  as  conveniently  may  be  We  do  think  fit  that  you  give 
all  countenance  and  Encouragement  in  the  exercise  of  the 
same  excepting  only  the  Colating  to  Benefices,  Granting 
Licenses  for  Marriage  and  Probate  of  Wills,  which  we  have 
reserved  to  you  our  Governor  or  the  Commander-in-Chief 
for  the  time  being." 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  39 


ASSOC  I  AT ORS —  1 690 

Capt.  John  Coode 
Commander 


St.  Mary’s  County 

Kenelm  Cheseldyne 
Nehemiah  Blackiston 

Kent  County 

Michael  Miller 
William  Harris 

Anne  Arundel 

Nicholas  Gassaway 
Nicholas  Greenbury 

Calvert 

Henry  Jowles 

Ninian  Beale 

Charles 

John  Addison 

John  Court  (Coates) 

Baltimore 

John  Thomas 

Thos.  Staley 

Talbot 

Geo.  Robotham 

John  Edmondson 

Somerset 

David  Browne 

Robert  King 

Dorchester 

John  Brooke 

Henry  Trippe 

Cecil 

Edward  Jones 

Charles  James. 

Of  the  Associators,  Blackiston,  Robotham,  Jowles, 
Addison,  Browne,  Court  and  Greenbury  were  made  mem¬ 
bers  of  the  Council  by  Gov.  Lionel  Copley,  and  Cheseldyne, 
Harris,  Staley,  Edmondson,  Trippe,  Brooke  and  Jones 
were  elected  members  of  the  Provincial  Assembly  in  1692. 


1  Arch.  Md.  Vol.  8,  p.  199. 


40  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


THE  COUNCIL  AND  ASSEMBLY 


May  lOth-June  9th,  1692. 

During  this  period  the  “Act  for  the  Service,  etc.”  was 
passed. 

Lionel  Copley,  Esq.,  Governor. 

Council 

Col.  Nehemiah  Blackiston  Col.  David  Browne 

Speaker  Capt.  John  Court  (Coates) 


Col.  George  Robotham 
Col.  Charles  Hutchins 
Col.  Henry  Jowles 
Capt.  John  Addison 
Sir  Thomas  Lawrence,  Bart. 

John  Llewellin 

Clerk  to  Council.1 


Mr.  Thos.  Brooke 
Col.  Nicholas  Greenbury 
Mr.  Thos.  Tench 
Mr.  James  Frisby 


Assembly 

Speaker — Mr.  Kenelm  Cheseldyne  2 


St.  Mary's  City 
Edw.  Wynne,  Esq. 

Mr.  Robert  Mason 
St.  Mary’s  County 
Mr.  Kenelm  Cheseldyne 
Maj.  John  Carvel  1 
Mr.  Philip  Clarke 
Mr.  John  Watson 
Kent  County 
Mr.  Wm.  Harris 
Mr.  Hans  Hanson 
Mr.  Elias  King 
Mr.  Sami.  Wheeler 


Baltimore  County 
Mr.  Geo.  Ashman 
Mr.  Edw.  Boothby 
Mr.  Fra.  Watkins 
Mr.  Thos.  Staley 
Talbot  County 
Mr.  Robert  Smith 
Mr.  Wm.  Phiney  (Finney) 
Mr.  Hugh  Sherwood 
Mr.  John  Edmondson 
Somerset  County 

Capt.  Wm.  Whittington 
Rev.  John  Hewett 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  252. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  350. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  41 


Anne  Arundel  County 
Mr.  John  Hammond 
Mr.  Henry  Ridgeley 
Mr.  James  Sanders 
Mr.  John  Dorsey 
Calvert  County 
Mr.  Thomas  Greenfield 
Mr.  Thomas  Tasker 
Mr.  Henry  Mitchell 
Mr.  John  Bigger 
Charles  County 
Mr.  Wm.  Dent 
Mr.  Henry  Hawkins 
Maj.  Ja.  Smallwood 
Capt.  Philip  Hoskins 


Mr.  Thomas  Evernden 
Mr.  John  Godden 
Dorchester  County 
Maj.  Henry  Trippe 
Dr.  John  Brooke 
Mr.  Thos.  Ennalls 
Mr.  Edw.  Pinder 
Cecil  County 
Mr.  William  Dare 
Col.  St.  Leger  Codd 
Mr.  Edward  Jones 
Mr.  George  Warner 


Henry  Denton 

Clerk  to  the  House. 


Changes  in  Personnel. 

“Came  the  speaker  of  the  House  and  prayed  his  Ex¬ 
cellence's  Order  for  the  Issueing  out  of  Writts  of  Election 
of  Burgesses  to  serve  in  the  room  [place]  of  Mr  John 
Edmondson  of  Talbot  County,  Mr  Everdine  [Evernden], 
Mr  Godwin  and  Mr  Huett  of  Somerset  County  Mr  Warner, 
Mr  Dare  and  Col.  Codd  of  Cecil  County  disabled  and  Ex¬ 
pelled  the  House,  which  was  granted."1 

Mr.  Thomas  Everdine  and  Mr.  John  Edmondson  being 
Quakers  refused  to  take  the  Oaths.2  Mr.  John  Godwin 
was  a  Quaker.3 

Mr.  Huett  (Hewett)  was  “dismissed  the  House  by  rea¬ 
son  of  his  Ministerial  function,  the  Law  in  that  Case  as  was 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  268. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  253. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  354. 


42  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


afore  desired  being  read  in  the  house,  rendering  him,  in 
the  Opinion  of  the  whole  house,  unqualified.”1 

On  May  14th,  1692,  Mr.  Huett  and  the  Rev. James  Clay- 
land,  later  rector  of  St.  Michael’s  Parish,  Talbot  County, 
were  asked  to  serve  as  Chaplains  to  the  Assembly  and 
answered  that  they  “will  be  ready  at  the  State  house  every 
Morning,  to  say  Divine  Service  upon  the  Beate  of  the 
second  Drume,  dureing  this  Sessions  of  Assembly.”2  Their 
salaries  were  fixed  at  3000  lbs.  of  Tobacco. 

Mr.  Huett  was  rector  of  Stepney  Church  and  of  Old 
Monie  in  Somerset. 

The  cause  for  dismissal  of  Col.  St.  Leger  Codd  and 
Mr.  George  Warner  of  Cecil  was  found  by  the  Committee  in 
the  fact  that  they  “called  Cecil  County  Court  [in  April, 
1690]  and  held  the  same  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Baltimore, 
denying  the  Authority  of  the  Late  Convention,  etc.”3 

Mr.  Wm.  Dare  was  permitted  to  take  his  seat  providing 
he  give  security  for  his  good  behavior.  Upon  his  refusal  to 
give  the  required  security  he  was  ordered  to  appear  for 
contempt.  He  finally,  upon  giving  some  excuse,  was  per¬ 
mitted  to  pay  a  fine  of  200  pounds  of  Tobacco  and  be  dis¬ 
charged  from  custody  of  the  “Serjeant  att  Armes.”4 

Mr.  James  Wroth,  Mr.  Robert  Crooke  and  Mr.  Thomas 
Theakston  were  elected  to  serve  in  the  Assembly  for  Cecil 
County,  “in  the  Roome  of  Col.  Codd,  Mr  Warner  and  Mr 
Dare.”  .  .  .  “accordingly  the  oaths  appointed  by  Act  of 
Parliament  instead  of  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Su¬ 
premacy  were  administered  to  the  aforesaid  members”  on 
May  the  27th,  1692. 5 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  366. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  367. 

5  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  365. 

■•Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  368. 

6Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  pp.  366-397. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  43 


“Came  from  the  House  Mr  Whittington  and  Mr 
Ennals  and  desired  to  have  the  Sheriff’s  Return  of  the  new 
Election  for  Somerset  County.  .  .  .  Said  Whittington 

and  Ennals  came  again  for  the  House  together  with  Mr 
Roger  Woolford,  Mr  John  Bozman  and  Mr  Lawrence 
Mattox  members  returned  for  Somerset  County 
they  were  accordingly  sworn  and  dismist”  June  the  2nd, 
1692.1 

“The  Sheriff  of  Talbot  County  makes  return  of  Mr 
Thomas  Robins  a  delegate  chosen  for  the  said  County  in 
this  Assembly  in  the  Room  of  Mr  John  Edmondson  dis¬ 
abled  and  dismissed  the  House.”2 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  327. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  326. 


44  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


ALL  LAWS  REPEALED 
— 1692 — 


An  Act  of  Repeale  of  all  Laws  heretofore  made 
in  this  Province  and  confirming  all  Laws  made 
this  Generali  Assembly. 

Be  it  Enacted  by  the  King  and  Queens  Most  Excellent 
Majesties  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  this 
present  Generali  Assembly. 

That  all  Laws  heretofore  made  in  this  Province  be  and 
forever  hereby  stand  Repealed  annulled  and  void,  and  that 
all  Laws  now  made  and  assented  to  this  present  Generali 
Assembly  (and  no  other)  be  and  remain  in  full  force  and 
power  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  thereof 
and  that  the  same  be  accounted  and  esteemed  as  the  body 
of  the  Laws  of  this  Province  and  no  other  heretofore  made. 

Provided  always  that  this  Law  shall  not  extend  or  be 
Construed  to  make  void  any  persons  Right  by  Acts  of 
nature  Affections  on  any  private  Acts  heretofore  made 
relating  to  any  private  persons,  but  that  the  same  be 
hereby  kept  and  preserved  to  them  according  to  the  true 
intent  and  meaning  thereof  anything  herein  to  the  Contrary 
notwithstanding. 1 


June  7th •  1692. 

Assented  to  by  the  Councill 


Board 

Signed  p  Ordr 
W.  Taylard  Clk. 


June  the  7th  1692 
The  house  of  Assembly 
have  Assented 


Signed  p  Ordr 
Hen  :  Denton  Clk 


Assistant 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  560. 


PART  III. 


THE  FIRST  LAW  ESTABLISHING  THE  CHURCH 


FIRST  LAW  ESTABLISHING  THE  CHURCH 


“an  act  for  the  service  of  almighty  god 

AND  THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  THE  PROTEST¬ 
ANT  RELIGION  WITHIN  THIS  PROVINCE.” 

Act  of  Assembly  at  a  session  held  at  St.  Mary’s  1692 

Lionel  Copley,  Esq. 

Royal  Governor. 

It  was  under  this  law  that  the  parishes  of  the  Prov¬ 
inces  were  laid  out. 

The  first  record  of  any  action  taken  by  the  Assembly 
to  establish  the  Church  of  England  in  the  Province  of  Mary¬ 
land  is  found  in  the  proceedings  of  that  body  under  date  of 
May  16th,  1692.  It  follows: 

“Ordered  that  the  following  Articles  be  drawne  up 
into  Lawes  viz' — 

Article  No.  1.  That  the  number  of  Ordinaries  be 
ascertained  in  each  County. 

Article  No.  2.  To  Lay  the  Province  into  Parishes 
and  that  care  be  taken  for  provision 
for  the  Clergy.”1 

Two  days  later,  May  18th,  the  bill  had  been  drawn  up, 
“read  and  passed  the  lower  house  the  first  reading  with  some 
amendments  to  be  referred.” 

On  the  25th  of  May  the  following  note  is  found  in 
Assembly  Proceedings : 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  368  and  369. 

47 


48  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“The  Act  Concerning  Religion  they  think  most 
proper  to  Consider  of  and  make  provision  for  Glebes 
when  the  Parishes  are  settled  and  laid  out.” 

The  Council  read  the  bill  for  the  first  time  on  the  next 
day  (May  26th)  and,  after  making  the  customary  notations 
as  to  reading,  the  following  “Remark”  was  added: 

“The  Ministers  to  be  one  of  the  Vestry  according  to 
his  Excellency’s  Instructions  and  a  Clause  tobeincerted 
Empowering  the  Vestrymen  with  the  Advice  and  As¬ 
sistance  of  the  Commissioners  to  purchase  and  procure 
one  or  more  Glebes  in  a  County  and  in  such  places  as 
there  shall  be  occasion,  or  they  shall  be  Convenient 
viz1  One  Glebe  in  a  Parish  each  Glebe  to  Consist  of 
fifty  Acres  of  Land  at  the  least  and  not  under.”1 

The  bill  received  its  second  reading  in  the  Council  on 
the  27th  of  May  and  was  sent  to  the  Assembly.  The 
Lower  House  adding  the  following : 

“Signify  the  opinion  of  the  House  thereupon  that  it 
may  not  commence  nor  take  force  till  March  next.”2 

The  same  day  it  also  received  a  reading  in  the  Lower 
House  brought  from  the  Council.  The  following  is  an 
extract  upon  the  records: 

“An  Act  for  the  Service,  etc.,  ordered  to  be  read, 
upon  which  was  reassumed  a  former  Vote  concerning 
the  Settlement  of  an  Annuall  Income  in  each  parish 
upon  the  Ministry  within  the  Province  and  Voted 
whether  it  should  be  done  by  the  Assessmen1  of  Lorty 
or  20  lbs  of  tob°  p.  poll,  and  Carryed  by  the  Majority 
of  Voices  to  be  assessed  by  a  Taxe  of  Lorty  pounds 
of  Tobacco  p.  poll  upon  the  Taxeables  of  each  parish.”3 

Under  date  of  June  the  2nd  the  following  record  shows 
the  work  completed  and  ready  for  the  Governor’s  signature. 

1  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  13,  p.  306. 

2  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  13,  f.  316. 

3  A,rch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  396. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  49 


“An  Act  for  the  Service  of  Almighty  God,  &c 
thus  subscribed,  viz1 

June  the  2nd-  1692 
The  House  of  Assembly  have  assented 

Signed  p  Order 

Henry  Denton  Clk 

Read  here  and  Subscribed  June  the  2nd’  1692 
Assented  to  by  the  Council 

Signed  p  order 

J.  Llewellin  Clk”1 

Governor  Copley  on  June  the  9th  “desired  the  House 
would  walke  up  and  see  the  Lawes  signed.”  “Mr  Speaker 
with  the  Rest  of  the  Members  of  the  House  goe  up  to  the 
Councill  Chamber  accordingly  where  were  signed  by  the 
Governor  and  passed  under  the  Great  Seale  of  the  Province 
the  following  Lawes,  vizc 

An  Act  for  the  Service,  etc”2 

“Maryland  S.  S.3 

Att  an  Assembly  held  at  the  Citty  of  S1'  Mary’s  on 
the  Tenth  Day  of  May  Anno  Dom.  1692.  And  in  the  4th 
Year  of  the  Reign  of  Our  Soveraign  Lord  &  Lady  William 
and  Mary  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  England  Scotland  France 
and  Ireland  King  and  Queen  &ca  These  Acts  following 
were  made. 

•  ••».»  ••  •  • 
[Title.] 

An  Act  for  the  Service  of  Almighty  God  and  the 
Establishment  of  the  Protestant  Religion  within  this  Prov¬ 
ince 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  328. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  421. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  425. 


50  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  .MARYLAND 


[Preamble.] 

Foreasmuch  as  in  a  well  Governed  Commonwealth 
Matters  of  Religion  and  the  Honour  of  God  ought  in  the 
first  place  to  be  taken  in  serious  consideration,  and  nothing 
being  more  acceptable  to  Almighty  God  than  the  true  and 
Sincere  worship  and  Service  of  him  according  to  his  Holy 
Word. 

I.  Bee  it  therefore  Enacted  by  the  King  and  Queens 
most  Excellent  Majestys  by  and  with  the  advice  and  con¬ 
sent  of  this  present  General  Assembly  and  the  Authority 
of  the  same 

[Rights  of  the  Church  of  England.] 

That  the  Church  of  England  within  this  Province  shall 
have  and  Enjoy  all  her  Rights  Liberties  and  Franchises 
wholly  inviolable  as  is  now  or  shall  be  hereafter  Established 
by  Law,  and  also  that  the  Great  Charter  of  England  be 
kept  and  observed  in  all  points — 

[Sunday  Observances.] 

— and  forasmuch  as  the  sanctifying  and  keeping  holy 
of  the  Lords  Day  commonly  called  Sunday  is  and  hath 
been  Esteemed  by  the  present  and  all  primitive  Churches 
and  People  a  Principall  and  Chief  part  of  the  said  Worship, 
which  Day  in  most  places  of  this  Province  hath  been  and 
still  is  by  many  wicked  Lewd  and  disorderly  people  Pro- 
phaned  and  neglected,  by  working  Drunkeness  Swearing 
Gaming  8 l  other  unlawful  pastimes  and  debaucheries,  for 
remedy  whereof,  for  the  future — 

[Penalty  for  Sabbath  breaking.] 

II.  Bee  it  Enacted  by  the  King  and  Queens  most  Excel¬ 
lent  Majestys  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent 
aforesaid,  That  from  and  after  the  publication  of  this  Law 
no  Person  or  Persons  within  this  province  shall  work  or  do 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  51 


any  bodily  Labour  or  Occupation  upon  any  Lord's  Day 
commonly  called  Sunday,  etc.,1  .  .  . 

[Establishing  the  Church  of  England.] 

And  for  the  raising  of  a  Supply  of  the  Ministry  and 
the  Maintenance  of  the  ministers  of  Gods  word  and  Sacra¬ 
ments — 

[Meeting  of  Commissioners  and  Justices  of  each  County.] 

III.  Bee  it  Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid  that  the 
severall  Commissioners  and  Justices  of  each  respective 
county  within  this  Province  shall  at  some  convenient  time 
between  this  and  the  first  day  of  September  next  ensuing, 
meet  together — 

[Place  of  Meeting.] 

At  the  respective  places  of  holding  Courts  for  the  same 
Countys, 

[Freeholders  notified  to  attend  the  meetings.] 

— and  shall  give  notice  to  the  most  principal  Free¬ 
holders2  of  the  severall  Counties  to  attend  them  at  the  said 
time  and  place  of  meeting  to  be  by  the  said  Commissioners 
and  Justices  appointed,  ten  days  before  the  same — 

[Dividing  the  Counties  into  Parishes.] 

— and  thereby  and  with  the  advice  of  the  Principal 
freeholders  aforesaid  so  many  of  them  as  the  said  Commis¬ 
sioners  and  Justices  shall  call  to  their  Assistance  divide  and 
lay  out  their  severall  and  respective  Counties  into  severall 
districts  and  Parishes — 

1  Considerable  space  taken  up  here  with  penalties  for  drunkeness,  etc.,  on 
Sunday. 

2  "Freeholder  (Principal  Freeholder)  entitled  to  vote  or  to  represent  county 
in  General  Assembly  must  have  a  freehold  of  fifty  acres  of  land  or  a  visible  estate 
of  Forty  pounds  Sterling  at  the  least."  (Md.  Arch.,  Vol.  27,  pp.  352-1708.) 


52  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[Number  of  Parishes  to  each  County.] 

— so  many  as  the  conveniency  of  each  respective 
county  and  the  scituation  of  the  same  will  afford  and  allow 
of,  as  in  the  discretion  of  the  said  Justices  with  the  advice 
aforesaid  shall  be  thought  convenient. 

[Parish  boundaries  to  be  well  defined.] 

And  the  same  districts  and  Parishes  the  said  Justices 
shall  cause  to  be  laid  out  by  meets  and  Bounds  and  fair 
certificats  of  each  Parish  with  the  most  evident  and  demon¬ 
strable  Bounds  of  the  same,  return  to  the  next  County 
Court  to  be  held  for  the  said  County, — 

[Parish  boundaries  recorded  in  County  Records.] 

— which  the  Justices  at  their  County  Courts  as  afore¬ 
said  shall  cause  the  Clerk  of  the  said  Court  to  enter  the 
said  certificate  uppon  Record, — 

[Copy  of  Parish  Certificate  sent  to  the  Governor.] 

—and  draw  a  fair  Copy  thereof,  affixing  his  name  and 
the  Seale  of  said  County  thereunto  and  Transmitt  the 
same  with  all  convenient  speed  to  the  Govr  and  Councill  of 
this  Province  to  be  kept  on  Record  in  the  Councill  Books, — 

[Clerks  fee  for  recording.] 

— for  which  the  said  Clerk  shall  be  allowed  as  for  other 
matters  recorded  to  be  paid  by  the  severall  counties, — 

[Penalties.] 

— and  for  the  more  sure  and  certaine  Effecting  of  the 
same,  the  severall  Justices  of  the  severall  Counties  within 
this  Province,  which  Clerks  aforesaid  are  hereby  enjoyned 
and  required  to  do  and  perform  the  severall  Injunctions 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  53 


requisite  and  parts  of  this  Law  under  the  penalty  of  five 
hundred  pounds  of  Tobacco  to  every  Justice  failing  in  the 
premisses,  and  to  the  Clerk  one  thousand  pounds  of  To¬ 
bacco — 

[Fines  in  their  Majestie’s  names.] 

— to  be  recovered  in  their  Majestie’s  names  in  any 
Court  of  Record  in  this  Province — 

[Fines  applied  to  Parish  use.] 

— and  Employed  to  the  use  of  the  Parrish  where  the 
said  offender  shall  reside — 

[Meeting  held  to  choose  Vestries.] 

— and  the  Severall  Parishes  being  laid  out  limited  and 
bounded  in  the  severall  Counties  within  this  Province  as 
aforesaid  the  Freeholders  of  each  Parish  do  within  some 
convenient  time  within  two  months — 

[Justices  to  appoint  time  and  place  of  meeting.] 

— as  by  the  Justices  of  County  Courts  aforesaid 
shall  be  appointed,  meet  together  at  the  most  convenient 
place  in  the  said  Parish  to  be  appointed  by  the  Justices 
aforesaid, — 

[Six  vestrymen  to  be  chosen.] 

— and  there  make  choice  of  six  of  the  most  able  men 
of  the  said  respective  Parishes  to  be  a  Vestry  for  each 
respective  Parish  as  aforesaid, — 

[Vestrymen  given  authority  of  office.] 

— who  are  hereby  Authorized  Impowered  and  required 
to  take  care  of  preserve  and  Imploy  all  such  Tobaccos, 


54  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Wares,  goods  and  Merchandizes  as  by  this  Act  or  any 
other  Act  hereafter  to  be  made,  or  by  any  other  waies  or 
means  whatsoever  shall  be  given  or  granted  raised  or  allowed 
to  the  use  of  the  Church  or  Ministry  of  the  said  Parish  to 
which  they  belong. 

[Vestry  meeting  to  take  account  of  parish  income.] 

To  which  end  and  purpose  the  said  Vestrymen  or  the 
Major  part  of  them  when  and  as  often  as  need  shall  require 
shall  meet  together  and  have  a  Clerk1  to  attend  them  to  take 
the  accompt  of  all  such  Tobaccos,  Goods,  Wares  and  Mer¬ 
chandizes  as  by  any  means  as  aforesaid  shall  accrue  to  the 
use  of  the  Ministry  in  the  Parish  aforesaid, — 

[To  build  churches  and  chapel.] 

— and  with  the  first  Tobaccos,  goods  Wares  and  Mer¬ 
chandizes  as  aforesaid,  shall  erect  and  build  in  the  most 
convenient  place  of  the  said  Parish,  one  Church  or  Chap¬ 
pell — 

[Vestrymen  to  decide  on  dimensions,  etc.] 

— in  such  Dimentions  and  Proportions  and  in  such 
Methods  and  ways  as  by  the  said  Vestry  men  in  their 
discretion  and  Judgement  shall  think  fitt  and  convenient — 

[Exceptions  where  churches  are  already  built.] 

— (such  Parishes  as  already  at  the  time  of  the  laying 
out  of  the  same  shall  appear  to  have  churches  and  Chap¬ 
pells  already  built  in  them  Excepted) — 

[Vestrymen  to  keep  record.] 

— the  said  Vestry  men  alwayes  keeping  a  Record  how 
and  in  what  manner  they  shall  execute  and  performe  the 
severall  Trusts  in  this  Act  reposed  in  them — 


1  Clerk  to  Vestry. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  55 


[Vestry  to  obtain  a  yearly  list  of  taxables  in  their  parish.] 
— and  also  shall  procure  yearly  and  every  year  from 
the  Constables  within  each  hundred  within  their  Parishes 
aforesaid  or  by  such  other  waies  or  means  as  to  them  shall 
seem  expedient  a  true  &  just  accompt  and  list  of  all  Taxable 
Persons  within  their  Parish  aforesaid — 

[List  of  taxables  kept  with  vestry  records.] 

— and  the  same  yearly  and  every  year  cause  to  be 
recorded  amongst  their  other  Proceedings,  the  better  to 
Enable  them  to  know  what  sum  or  sums  of  Tobac°  to 
demand  and  require  of  the  Sherri ff  of  the  County  for  the 
use  of  their  Parish  aforesaid,  as  by  this  Act  hereafter  shall 
be  raised  for  the  uses  aforesaid, — 

[Tax  of  forty  pounds  of  tobacco.] 

That  is  to  say,  That  a  Tax  or  assessment  of  forty 
pounds  of  tobacco  per  poll  be  yearly  and  in  every  year 
raised  and  levyed  upon  every  Taxable  Person  within  each 
Parrish  aforesaid, — 

[Sheriff  to  collect  “Forty  per  poll.’’] 

— and  to  be  collected  and  gathered  by  the  Sherriff  of 
the  County  in  manner  and  form  as  the  publick  or  County 
Levies  hitherto  have  and  still  are  collected  and  gathered — 

[Sheriff  to  pay  the  tax  to  the  vestrymen.] 

— which  said  Sherriff  is  to  make  punctual!  payment  of 
the  said  Tax  or  Assessment  to  the  Vestrymen  of  each 
Parrish  as  aforesaid,  of  so  much  Tobacco  as  by  the  Tax 
aforesaid  shall  be  raised  within  each  Parrish, — 

[Sheriff’s  commission  for  collecting  tax.] 

— the  said  Sherriff  deducting  his  Salary  for  collecting 
the  same,  five  pounds  of  Tobacco  per  cent, — 


56  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[How  tax  shall  be  applied.] 

— which  said  Tobacco  so  Assessed  and  raised  as  afore¬ 
said  shall  always  and  after  the  building  of  the  Church  or 
Chappell  within  the  each  Parrish  as  aforesaid  be  appropri¬ 
ated  and  applyed  by  the  Vestrymen  aforesaid  to  the  use 
and  benefit  of  the  Minister  of  that  Parrish  if  any  Minister 
[be]  Inducted  into  the  same, — 

[Tax  to  be  spent  for  repairs  when  there  is  no  minister.] 

— But  if  no  Minister  be  Inducted  into  the  Parish, 
then  the  same  Tobacco  or  such  part  thereof  as  by  the  said 
Vestry  men  shall  be  thought  convenient  to  be  kept  and 
made  use  on  for  the  necessary  reparations  of  the  Church 
or  Chappell  aforesaid  or  other  pious  uses  at  the  discretion 
of  the  Vestry  men  aforesaid. 

[Vestrymen  authorized  to  accept  donations  to  the  church.] 

And  to  the  end  that  any  gift  bequest  Grant  ordination 
or  appointment  by  any  person  or  persons  which  shall  be 
so  piously  inclined  either  by  their  last  Wills  and  Testaments 
or  by  Deed  Executed  in  their  life  time  to  give  grant  or  any¬ 
ways  appoint  or  bestow  any  sum  or  sums  of  Money  Tobaccos 
Goods  or  Chattel  Is  Lands  Tenements  or  hereditaments  of 
what  nature  or  kind  soever  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  any 
Minister  or  Ministers  or  to  the  Ministry  or  Poor  of  any 
Parrish  or  Parrishes  within  this  Province,  the  Vestrymen 
for  the  same  Parrish  by  this  Act  are  Impowered  and  Au¬ 
thorized  to  take  the  same  into  their  Custody  and  Possession 
and  apply  to  the  use  and  intent  of  the  Donor  or  Donors — 

[Vestry  authorized  to  sue.] 

And  the  better  to  enable  them  to  recover  and  receive 
the  same,  they  are  hereby  fully  and  absolutely  Empoweerd 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  CF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  57 


Authorized  and  Qualified  to  prosecute  and  maintein  any 
Action  or  Actions  whatsoever,  whether  reall  personall  or 
mixt  for  the  Recovery  of  all  or  any  the  premisses  aforesaid 
from  any  Person  or  persons  that  shall  hold  or  deteine  any 
of  the  goods  or  chatties  Tenements  or  hereditaments  as 
aforesaid,  given  and  granted  &  otherwise  appointed  to  the 
uses  aforesaid,  or  for  any  damages  accruing  by  any  Trespass 
upon  and  in  the  premisses  or  any  of  them, — 

[Vestrymen  to  act  as  "body  corporate."] 

— and  in  the  Prosecution  of  any  Action  or  accons  as 
aforesaid  to  prosecute  Act  and  do  in  the  nature  and  amply 
as  a  body  Politick  or  corporate  might  or  could  do  for  the 
recovering  of  the  same  and  preserving  of  the  premisses 
aforesaid — 

[Suits  to  be  entered  in  name  of  the  principal  vestryman 
with  the  other  vestrymen.] 

— in  any  Action  or  Actions  to  be  comenced  as  aforesaid 
in  the  Writt  and  Declaration  and  other  proceedings  of  the 
same  the  principall  Vestryman  shall  be  named  together 
with  the  other  his  Vestrymen  as  aforesaid  for  the  Parrish 
especially  appointed  by  Act  of  Assembly  any  Law  Statute 
or  useage  to  the  contrary  hereof  in  any  wise  notwith¬ 
standing. 

[Vestrymen  to  fill  vacancies  in  vestry.] 

And  when  any  Vestryman  or  Vestrymen  shall  at  any 
time  hereafter  happen  to  dy  or  depart  this  life  or  out  of 
the  Parish  to  which  he  or  they  belonged,  It  shall  and  may 
be  lawfull  to  the  other  Vestrymen  who  are  hereby  enjoyned 
at  their  next  meeting  to  make  choice  of  such  other  able 
person  or  persons  residing  and  being  Freeholders  in  the 


58  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Parrish  aforesaid  to  make  up  the  number  of  such  deceased 
absent  Vestryman  or  Vestrymen  as  aforesaid. 

[Date  that  Act  shall  become  effective.] 

This  Act  as  to  the  raising  and  Assessing  a  Support  by 
the  Poll  not  to  commence  or  be  in  force  untill  after  the 
Tenth  Day  of  March  [1693]  next,  but  as  to  all  other  parts 
thereof,  from  and  after  the  Publication  of  the  same. 


June  2nd  1692 

Assented  to  by  the  Council 
Board. 

Signed  p  Ordr 
John  Llewellin  Clk. 


June  2nd  1692 
The  house  of  Assembly 
have  Assented 
Signed  p  Ordr 
Hen:  Denton  Clk.” 


‘  ‘The  aforesaid  Law  was  signed  and  Subscribed  by  the 
Governor  thus  vizc 
June  9th  1692 


On  behalfe  of  their  Majties  King  Wm  and  Queen 
Mary  I  will  these  to  be  laws. 


L.  Copley.”1 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  1 
same  title. 


3,  p.  424.  This  Act  was  repealed  by  the  Act  of  1696, 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  59 


TAXABLES 


“An  Act  for  the  Constables  Taking  a  List  of  Taxables. 

— And  to  the  end  that  no  person  for  the  future  may  be 
Ignorant  what  Persons  are  Taxables  and  what  not 

Be  it  Enacted  by  and  with  the  Advice  and  Consent 
aforesaid  and  the  Authority  of  the  same,  That  all  Male 
Children  born  within  this  Province  and  Resident  in  it  shall 
be  taken  and  Accompted  Taxables  at  the  Age  of  sixteen 
years  and  upwards,  and  all  male  Children  Servants  Im¬ 
ported  into  this  Province  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  and 
upwards  shall  be  accompted  Taxables,  And  all  Slaves 
whatsoever,  whether  Male  or  Female  Imported  or  born  in 
this  Province  at  or  above  the  Age  of  sixteen  years  shall 
be  accompted  Taxables  and  so  Rated,  And  that  all  freemen 
within  this  Province  (Except  Clergymen  and  such  poor  & 
Impotent  persons  that  receive  Alms  from  the  County) 
shall  be  Taxables  above  the  Age  of  Sixteen  years. 


June  2nd  1692 
Signed  p.  Ordr 
John  Llewellin  Clk 


The  House  of  Assembly  have 
Assented 


June  the  2nd  1692 


Signed  p.  Ordr 
Hen:  Denton  Clk.' 1 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  538.  Assembly  proceedings. 


60  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


SHERIFF’S  JURISDICTION. 

“At  a  Council  held  at  Port  of  Annapolis. 
March  3d  1695. 


The  Question : 

Ordered  that  it  be  referred  to  Mr  Attorney  &  Solicitor 
Generali  whether  the  Sherri ffs  now  at  present  Officiating 
Acting  in  the  late  divided  Counties  can  legally  continue  to 
Act  in  their  several  places,  in  the  Counties  as  (by  the  late 
Law)  they  stand  now  divided,  and  whether  the  Commissions 
of  the  peace  &ca  ought  not  to  issue,  and  that  they  make 
Report  of  their  opinion  therein  unto  this  Board  with  all 
speed ;  who  make  the  following  Return  viz1 


The  Opinion : 

We  humbly  conceive  that  after  the  day  in  the  Act  of 
Assembly  mentioned  for  dividing  the  Counties,  the  Sheriff 
of  each  County  is  not  to  Act  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
County  in  the  Act  mentioned,  and  for  prevention  of  incon- 
veniency  and  for  the  better  administering  Justice,  it  would 
be  requisite  that  the  Commission  to  All  Officers  Judiciall 
Ministeriall  should  be  made  to  take  Effect  at  that  time, 
in  the  new  Erected  County. 

(Signed)  Geo :  Plater  [Attorney  General] 
(Signed)  Win.  Dent’’1  [Solicitor  General] 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  380.  This  opinion  is  quoted  here  to  impress  upon 
the  reader  the  fact  that  the  boundaries  of  parishes  and  counties  were  official  and 
that  the  map  (in  back  of  book)  of  the  province  showing  those  boundaries  is 
based  upon  that  opinion.  In  other  words  the  parish  boundaries  were  made  co¬ 
extensive  with  the  country  boundaries. 


PART  IV. 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  VESTRYMEN 


OLD  COUNCI  I,  HOUSE 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  VESTRYMEN 


By 

"His  Exncy  Francis  Nicholson,  Esq.,  Cap1  Gen"  &ca" 
And  his  Councellors 

Shortly  after  the  passage  of  the  "Act  for  the  Service 
of  Almighty  God  and  the  Establishment  of  the  Protestant 
Religion  within  this  Province"  the  Governor  and  Council 
issued  instructions  to  the  Vestrymen  throughout  the  Prov¬ 
ince. 

There  were  many  things  to  learn  in  the  management 
of  the  affairs  of  the  Church  under  the  Act  of  7692  and  no 
doubt  the  vestrymen  were  glad  to  be  instructed  on  such 
important  questions. 


"At  a  Council  held  at  the  Port  of  Annapolis 
March  4th  1695 

Order  touching  the  Vestry’s,  what  inside  Worke  they  are 
obliged  to  perform  in  their  Churches 

Upon  Representation,  Ordered  that  the  Vestrymen 
of  the  severall  and  respective  Parishes  within  this 
Province  be  obliged  to  perform  &  see  finished,  within 
their  respective  parish  Churches,  no  other  inside  worke 
than  Viz£  plastering  the  Walls,  making  the  pulpit,  the 
Reading  pew  &  Clerks  Desk,  to  provide  a  Communion 
table  8z  Raile  in  the  same;  And  as  for  all  other  pews 
&  seats,  that  the  severall  Parishioners  be  at  charge  of 
making  the  same  according  to  their  own  liking.  And 

63 


64  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


it  is  hereby  further  ordered  that  the  Sheriffs  of  the 
Province  give  Copy  of  this  Order  to  the  severall  Ves- 
trys  within  their  respective  Precincts.”1 


“At  a  Council  held  at  the  Port  of  Annapolis 
August  17th  1695. 

Vestrymen  Ordered  to  build  Churches,  &ca  2 

[Vestrymen  to  build  churches  where  needed.] 

Ordered  that  the  Vestrymen  of  the  Severall  and  Re¬ 
spective  parishes  within  this  Province  take  all  due  and 
Speedy  care  for  the  building  of  Churches  (where  wanting) — 

[Oathes  and  test  for  vestrymen.] 

— and  for  the  taking  the  Oathes  &  Subscribing  to  the 
Test — 

[Choosing  church  wardens.] 

— as  also  chooseing  Church  Wardens  pursuant  to  the 
directions  of  the  Act  of  Assembly  of  this  Province  in  that 
Case  made  &  provided ; 

[County  court  houses  to  be  used  as  churches.] 

And  that  where  the  Court  houses  within  any  of  the 
Counties  of  the  Province  are  placed  convenient  where 
Churches  may  stand  or  be  Erected,  that  in  such  case  said  the 
Court  houses  may  be  made  use  of  for  Churches  to  perform 
Divine  Duty  &  Service  in; 

1  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  20,  p.  388. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  283. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  65 


[Dorchester  County  Court  House.] 

— especially  Dorchester  County  Court  house  in  the 
parish  of  Great  Choptanck,  so  that  instead  of  Building  a 
church  at  Cambridge,  the  Vestrey  may  build  a  Chappell  of 
Ease  in  some  other  Convenient  place, 

[This  rule  to  be  observed  in  other  parishes.] 

And  in  like  manner  other  parishes  are  hereby  directed 
and  Required  to  Observe  and  follow  the  same  Rule. 

[Appointment  of  Lay  Readers  in  vacant  parishes.] 

And  it  is  hereby  further  Ordered,  that  where  ministers 
are  wanting  in  any  the  said  parishes  the  Vestreymen  for 
the  same  appointed  take  care  to  provide  some  sober,  dis¬ 
creet  person  to  Read  prayers  on  Sundays, 

[Lay  Readers  appointed  to  assist  ministers  of  two  parishes.] 
And  where  it  so  falls  out  that  one  Minister  happens  to 
Enjoy  the  benefits  8z  profits  of  two  parishes  that  then  such 
Minister  provide  some  sober  and  discreet  person  to  Read 
prayers  as  aforesaid  in  that  Church  those  days  the  minister 
shall  therein  be  absent,  Provided  the  whole  Lorty  per  poll 
be  paid  such  Minister,  Requireing  such  persons  diligently 
to  observe  the  Reading  the  first  &  second  Service  &  the 
people  to  stand  and  kneele  as  the  Rubrick  directs; 

[Care  of  Churches.] 

And  that  the  churches  be  decently  kept  &  the  Com¬ 
munion  Tables  Raild  in, 

[Baptism  of  children  after  reading  of  Second  Lesson.] 

And  Lurther  Ordered  that  all  Children  brought  to 
Church  to  be  baptized  be  Christened  immediately  after  the 
Reading  of  the  Second  Lesson 


66  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[Administering  the  Lord’s  Supper.] 

— &  that  the  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Lords  Supper  be 
administered  at  least  three  times  every  year,  Viz1  Christ¬ 
mas,  Easter  &  Whitsontide; 

[Collecting  the  “Forty  per  poll.”] 

And  that  where  the  Forty  per  poll  was  not  Collected 
last  year  that  the  same  be  Collected  this  year  (according 
to  the  Directions  of  the  Order  of  the  last  Assembly)  for 
the  Use  of  the  Ministry,  Ministers  being  sent  for  in  and 
Expected  this  Fall ; 


[Sheriff  to  report  to  the  Governor  &  Council  on  property 
given  to  the  church.] 

And  lastly  Ordered  that  the  Severall  Sherriffes  of  the 
province  make  Strict  inquiry  of  the  Justices  or  other  per¬ 
sons  living  within  their  respective  Counties,  if  there  be 
any  Glebe  Lands  or  personall  Estate  bestowed  or  given 
to  the  Church  or  towards  building  of  Schooles  or  other 
pious  Uses,  whereof  the  Sherriffes  are  to  Return  an  Ac¬ 
count  unto  this  Board — 

[Sheriff  to  notify  vestry  of  this  order.] 

— &  give  Copy  of  this  Order  to  the  Vestry  of  each 
parish  within  their  respective  County’s  and  that  they  sig¬ 
nify  to  this  Board  under  their  hand  by  the  2d  day  of 
October  next  of  their  having  so  done,  under  the  pain  & 
perill  which  may  Ensue  for  neglect  of  the  same; — 

Sheriffs  to  report  number  of  taxables. 

The  list  of  Taxables  are  then  likewise  by  you  to  be 
Return'd.’’ 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  67 


"At  a  Council  held  at  the  Port  of  Annapolis 
August  20th  1695 

[Churches  to  be  used  as  Court  Houses.] 

Ordered  that  it  be  Recommended  to  the  house  of 
Burgesses  for  a  Law  to  be  made  that  the  Church  at  Mount 
Calvert  be  fitted  to  serve  as  well  for  a  Court  house  as 
Church,  and  so  in  all  other  places  where  the  same  can 
conveniently  be  done."1 


"At  a  Council  held  at  the  Port  of  Annapolis2 
October  10th  1696" 

[Order  to  the  Vestrys  to  dispose  of  the  "Forty  per  poll.] 

Ordered  that  the  Vestrys  of  the  Severall  parishes 
within  this  Province  take  care  to  dispose  of  the  40  p  poll 
(where  Ministers  are  not  placed  or  inducted  and  where 
Churches  are  actually  built)  for  ready  Goods,  Money  or 
bills  of  Exchange  pursuant  to  Former  Ordr  Tobacco 
being  a  good  comodity  this  Year;  and  that  the  Church 
Yards  be  pail’d  pursuant  to  the  late  Ordinance  of  Assembly 
the  Sherriffs  being  hereby  directed  to  give  a  Copy  of  this 
Order  to  the  Severall  Vestrys  within  their  respective 
Bayliwicks." _ _ 

"At  a  Council  held  at  the  Port  of  Annapolis  3 
October  10th  1696. 

[Returns  of  County  Levys  and  Vestry  Proceedings.] 

Ordered  that  the  Clerks  of  the  Severall  County  Courts 
and  Vestrys  make  Return  of  their  County  Leavys  and 
Vestry  proceedings  next  December  Court,  and  so  from  that 
time  Annually  pursuant  to  the  late  Act  of  Assembly,  and 
that  the  Sherriffs  give  them  notice  thereof.” 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  284. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  523. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  524. 


68  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“At  a  Council  held  at  the  Port  of  Annapolis1 
December  16th  1696. 

[Order  to  Vestrys  to  make  return  about  the  Churches.] 

Ordered  that  the  Vestrys  of  the  respective  parishes 
within  this  Province  make  Return  what  forwardness  the 
Churches  are  in  and  whether  Finished  according  to  Contract 
and  paid  for,  and  whether  the  ground  the  same  stand  on  is 
purchased  Sz  made  secure  to  the  parishionrs  to  the  End  iif  it 
should  not,  and  Act  of  Assembly  may  be  procured  for  the 
Same,  and  that  the  Severall  Vestrys  have  the  sd  Accounts 
ready  for  his  Exncys  perusall  against  he  comes  and 
visitts  the  sd  Churches,  which  (God  willing)  he  intends 
very  shortly  and  that  the  Sherriffs  Serve  them  Severally 
with  a  Copy  hereof.” 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  584. 


PART  V. 


THE  LAW  UNDER  WHICH  THE  CHURCH  OF 
ENGLAND  FUNCTIONED  UNTIL 
THE  REVOLUTION  IN  1775 


Papers  Relating  to  the  Validity  of  the  Law  and  the 
Act  Providing  for  the  Disposition  of  the  Taxes 


“AN  ACT  FOR  THE  ESTABLISHMT  OF  RE' 
LIGIOUS  W ORSHpp  IN  THIS  PROVINCE 
ACCORDING  TO  THE  CHURCH  OF 
ENGLAND:  AND  FOR  THE 
MAINTAINANCE  OF 
MINISTERS.”1 

Act  of  Assembly — March  2  5th  1702. 

The  defects  of  the  previous  similar  bills  framed  by  the 
Assembly  had  caused  their  rejectment  and  upon  the  advice 
of  Dr.  Thomas  Bray,  who  had  fathered  the  Act  of  April 
26th,  1700,  and  who  had  appeared  personally  in  London 
before  the  Board  of  Trade  and  failed  to  get  it  passed;  the 
Assembly  asked  the  Commissioners  of  Trade  and  Planta¬ 
tion  to  prepare  a  bill  that  would  be  allowed  by  the  Crown 
indicating  their  willingness  to  pass  such  as  an  Act  of  the 
Assembly  of  Maryland. 

The  defect  in  the  Act  of  1700  was  the  clause,  "Bee  it 
Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid  that  the  booke  of 
Common  Prayer  and  Admistration  of  the  Sacraments 
with  other  Rites  and  Ceremonys  of  the  Church  According 
to  the  use  of  the  Church  of  England  the  Psalter  or  Psalms 
of  David  and  Morning  and  Evening  Prayer  therein  con¬ 
tained  be  Solemnly  read  by  all  and  Every  Minister  or 
Reader  in  Every  Church  or  other  Place  of  Public  Worship 
within  this  Province.  ”2 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  265.  This  is  the  Law  under  which  the  Church 
functioned  for  over  seventy  years. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  91.  For  statement  of  Council  in  regard  to  restric¬ 
tions  see  Letter  to  Commissioners  of  Trade  and  Plantation,  page  166. 

71 


72  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


This  deprived  the  Quakers  and  other  dissenters  of  the 
benefits  of  toleration  they  had  enjoyed.  Upon  receiving  a 
letter  from  the  “Right  Honble  the  Lords  of  Plantation  and 
Trade”  notifying  him  of  the  failure  to  pass  the  Act  of  1700, 
Governor  Nathaniel  Blackiston  addressed  the  Council  and 
Lower  House  in  joint  session  on  the  16th  of  March,  1702. 
He  said  in  part : 

“The  Law  for  Establishing  religious  worship 
in  this  Province  according  to  the  Church  of  Eng¬ 
land  which  you  made  last  &  sent  home  is  now  re¬ 
turned  by  his  Majesty  for  your  Assent.  You’ll  find 
the  Alterations,  that  are  made  but  very  little,  and 
that  such  Visible  Amendments  to  our  Advantage  be¬ 
ing  corrected  by  so  wise  an  Hand.  We  ought  to  be 
proud  of  the  pattern  in  confirming  it.  If  I  mistake 
not  your  Journalls  of  Assembly  will  make  it  appear 
that  this  Way  was  humbly  requested  by  yourselves 
in  an  Address  to  his  Majesty  that  he  would  be  pleased 
to  order  it  to  be  drawn  as  he  should  judge  Jit  and 
it  be  remitted  to  you  for  your  Concurrence  and  there¬ 
fore  since  this  Law  was  so  unanimously  made  by 
you  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  that  any  crafty 
Inclinations  will  abate  your  good  Intentions  in 
confirming  so  glorious  and  good  an  Act;  But  that 
you  will  cheerfully  Join  in  putting  it  on  foot  His 
Majesty  has  been  graciously  pleased  to  give  us  an 
handle  so  to  do.  That  for  the  future  it  may  not  be 
within  the  reach  of  our  opponents  to  shock  it  again, 
tho  their  Efforts  have  proved  feeble  hitherto  yet 
you  ought  not  to  trust  any  longer,  but  Endeavour  to 
plant  it  firm  to  your  Posterity  which  will  be  a  most 
lasting  Testimonie  of  your  virtues.”1 


1  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  24,  p.  207. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  73 


On  Tuesday,  March  17th,  1702,  the  Governor  sent  the 
bill  to  the  Lower  House  “for  your  Consideration,  and  your 
Concurrence  and  Resolutions  thereon  are  desired  with  as 
much  speed  as  conveniently  may  be.’’1  Owing  to  the  ab¬ 
sence  of  several  of  the  members  of  the  Lower  House,  no 
action  was  taken  until  the  20th  of  March,  at  which  time  a 
full  attendance  of  the  members  allowed  the  Assembly  to 
proceed  with  its  consideration.  The  Council  records  show 
that  on  the  20th  “Came  Major  Dent  and  Mr  [Edward] 
Lloyd  from  the  House  to  desire  a  Conference  of  Some 
Members  of  their  House  with  some  Members  of  the  Council 
upon  the  Bill  proposed  for  Establishment  of  religious  Wor¬ 
ship  within  this  Province,  which  Conference  was  readily 
granted  when  the  House  shall  think  fitt .  Col.  Addison, 
Col.  Courts,  Mr  Brooke  and  Col.  Hammond  appointed  to 
conferr  with  the  members  assigned  by  the  House.” 

After  the  conference  at  the  morning  session,  the  bill 
was  read  the  first  time.  A  vote  was  then  taken  as  to 
whether  it  should  pass  as  it  came  from  England.  “Carryed 
in  the  affirmative  and  ordered  that  the  blanks  be  filled 
up  and  it  be  ths  endorsed,  Resolved  that  it  pass  without  any 
amendment  and  ordered  to  be  read  agne  this  afternoone.’’2 
It  was  read  the  second  time  in  the  Lower  Blouse  and  passed; 
it  also  received  two  readings  and  was  “agreed  to”  by  the 
Council  at  the  same  session  and  then  sent  up  to  the  Com¬ 
mittee  to  be  engrossed. 

At  the  Council  meeting  on  Monday  morning,  March 
23rd,  1702,  the  Governor  read  a  part  of  a  letter  written  to 
him  by  Dr. Thos. Bray,  under  date  of  July  15th, 1701.  Doctor 
Bray  called  attention  to  the  work  he  had  done  in  England 
for  the  “Law  of  Religion”  and  says  “My  own  Time  and 
Pains  in  this  affaire  I  willingly  make  an  offering  of  together 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  d.  209. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  247. 


74  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


with  what  other  Services  have  been  done  the  Country.” 
He  then  states  that  he  expected  to  be  reimbursed  for  the 
outlay  of  cash  (upwards  of  £50)  paid  out  in  soliciting  the 
passage  of  the  bill  before  the  Board  of  Trade  in  England. 
A  vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  Doctor  Bray  by  the  Upper 
and  Lower  Houses  and  an  order  drawn  to  reimburse  him 
for  that  which  he  had  “disbursed  in  negotiating  the  said 
affair  about  the  Act  for  Religious  Worship.”1 

At  the  Afternoon  session  on  March  23rd,  the  bill  re¬ 
ceived  its  third  reading  in  the  Council  and  sent  to  the 
Lower  House  by  Col.  Addison  and  Mr.  Brooke,  where  it 
received  its  final  reading  and  approval. 

“An  Act  for  the  Establishment  of  Religious 
Worship  in  this  Province  according  to  the  Church 
of  England  and  for  the  Maintainence  of  Ministers2 

[March  25th  1702] 

[Preamble.] 

For  as  much  as  in  well  grounded  Xpiom  cornon 
Wealths  Matter  concerning  Religion  and  the  honour  of 
God  ought  in  the  First  place,  to  be  taken  into  considera¬ 
tion.  And  honest  Endeavour  to  Attaine  to  such  good  end 
Countenanced  and  Encouraged  as  being  not  only  most 
Acceptable  to  God ;  but  the  best  way  and  Means  to  Obtaine 
his  mercy  and  blessing  upon  a  People  or  Country. 

[Use  of  Book  of  Common  Prayer  authorized.] 

I.  Be  it  therefore  Enacted  by  the  Kings  most  Excellent 
Majy  by  and  with  the  Advise  and  consent  of  this  pres- 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.,  24.  p.  254. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  265. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  75 


ent  Generali  Assembly;  And  by  the  Authority  of  the  same 
that  the  book  of  Common  Prayer  and  Administracon  of 
the  Sacraments  with  other  Rites  and  Ceremonys  of  the 
Church  According  to  the  use  of  the  Church  of  England; 
The  Psalter  or  Psalmes  of  David.  And  Morning  and  Eve¬ 
ning  Prayer  therein  Conteyned  be  Sollemnly  read  by  all 
and  Every  Minister  or  Reader  in  Every  Church  which  now 
is  or  hereafter  shall  be  settled  and  Established  within  this 
Province. 

[Defines  ‘‘Established  Churches.”] 

And  that  all  Congregations  and  Places  for  Publick 
Worship,  according  to  the  usage  of  the  Church  of  England 
within  this  Province  for  the  Maintenance  of  whose  Minis¬ 
ters,  and  the  persons  Officiateing  therein  any  certaine  in¬ 
come  or  Revenue  is  or  shall  by  the  Laws  of  this  Province 
be  Established  and  Enjoyned  to  be  raised  or  paid  shall  be 
deemed  Settled  and  Established  Churches; 


[Tax  for  the  “Maintenance”  of  Ministers.] 

And  for  the  Encouragement  of  Faithfull  and  able 
Ministers  Labouring  in  the  Worke  of  the  Gospell  to  come 
and  reside  in  this  Province. 

II.  Bee  it  Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid  that  a 
Tax  or  AssessnY  of  Forty  pound  of  Tob°  per  Poll  be  Yearly 
and  every  Year  Successively  Levyd  upon  every  Tax¬ 
able  Person  within  each  respective  Parish  within  this  Prov¬ 
ince.  As  they  have  been;  now  are  or  here  After  shall  be 
laid  out  Limitted  or  Appointed;  by  Laws  of  this  Province; 
And  entered  upon  Record  As  the  said  Former  Laws  therein 
did  Direct. 


76  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[Disposition  of  “Forty  per  poll”  tax.] 

Which  said  Assessment  of  Forty  pounds  of  Tob°  p 
Poll  shall  alwayes  be  Paid  and  Allowed  to  the  Minister  of 
each  respective  Parish  haveing  noe  other  Benefice  to  Offici¬ 
ate  in ;  Presented ;  inducted  or  Appoynted  by  his  Exeellcy  The 
Governour  or  Comander  in  Cheife  for  the  tyme  being — 


[Clerk  of  parish  church.] 

And  every  such  Minister  is  hereby  Required  and  En- 
joyned  to  Appoynt  And  Constantly  to  Keep  a  Clerk  of 
Such  Parish  Church;  and  to  pay  and  Satisfye  such  Clerk 
the  Sume  of  One  Thousand  Pounds  of  Tob°  yearly  and 
Every  year  out  of  the  Said  Fourty  p.  poll; — 

[Prevention  of  illegal  marriages.] 

And  to  prevent  all  illegall  and  Unlawful  Marriages; 
not  allowable  by  the  Church  of  England;  but  forbidden  by 
the  Table  of  Marriages, 

III.  Bee  it  Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid;  That 
noe  Minister,  Preist  or  Magistrate  shall  Presume  to  joyne 
Together  in  Marriage  any  Person  whatsoever  contrary  to 
the  Table  of  Marriage;  by  this  Act  Appoynted  to  be  sett 
up  in  Every  Parish  Church  within  this  Province;  Under  the 
penalty  of  Five  Thousand  pounds  of  Tob°  Nor  shall  any 
Person  Forbidden  to  Intermarry  by  such  Table  of  Marriage 
prsume  to  be  joyned  in  marriage  Under  the  Like  Penalty  of 
Five  Thousand  pounds  of  Tob°  such  Penalty  and  For¬ 
feiture;  on  either  side ;  to  be  made  to  our  Soveraigne  Lord 
the  King ;  his  heires  and  Successors,  for  the  uses  in  this  Act 
hereafter  menconed; 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  77 


[Who  shall  perform  marriage  ceremonies.] 

And  to  prevent  Any  Lay  Person  From  Jovning  any 
Persons  in  Marriage ;  Where  any  Minister  or  Prest  cann  be 
had;  And  to  Assertaine  what  shall  be  paid  for  Marriages. 

IV.  Bee  it  likewise  Enacted  by  the  Authority  Aforesaid 
that  in  every  Parish  where  any  Minister  or  Incumbent 
shall  reside  &  have  Charge  of  Souls  therein;  noe  Justice  or 
Majestrate  being  a  Lay  man  shall  Joyne  any  Person  in  Mar¬ 
riage;  Under  the  Penalty  of  Five  Thousand  Pounds  of  Tob° 
For  such  Offence;  To  our  Soveraigne  Lord  the  King;  as 
aforesaid; — 

[Marriage  fees.] 

And  it  Shall  be  Lawfull  to  every  Minister ;  To  take  and 
receive  of  Every  Person  or  Persons  by  him  Married  the 
Sume  of  Five  shillings  Sterling  and  noe  more. 

[Place  of  marriage  ceremony.] 

Provided  such  Persons  come  to  such  Parish  Church  dr 
Chappell  at  time  of  Divine  Service  for  Solemnizeing  such 
Marriage. 

[Sheriff  to  collect  “Forty  p.  poll'’  tax.] 

And  for  the  better  and  more  effectually  collecting  the 
said  Duty  of  Fourty  Pound  of  Tob°  p.  Poll;  and  paying 
this  same  to  the  uses  by  the  Law  intended  and  Appoynted. 

V.  Bee  it  Enacted  that  the  Sherriffe  of  each  Severall 
County  shall  and  is  hereby  obliged  to  Collect  and  gather 
the  said  Assessment  of  Forty  p.  poll  of  the  Severall  persons 
within  each  respective  Parish  in  his  County;  in  the  same 
maner.  And  by  the  same  authority  as  the  Publick  and 
County  Levys  are  Collected; — 


78  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[To  whom  paid.] 

and  shall  pay  the  same  Forty  Pounds  p.  Poll  to  the 
Minister  or  incumbent  in  each  respective  Parish ; — 

[Authority  for  vestrys.] 

And  the  better  to  Promote  the  Execution  of  the  good 
Laws  of  this  Province ;  soe  farr  as  Concerns  the  Respective 
Parishes.  And  for  the  more  Easey  Dispatch  of  Parish 
Business ; 

VI.  Bee  it  Further  Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid, 
by  and  with  the  Advice  and  Consent  aforesaid;  that  there 
be  Select  Vestrys,  in  each  Parish  of  this  Province;  and 
that  the  severall  Vestrymen  of  the  Severall  Parishes  within 
this  Province,  That  now  are  or  hereafter  shall  be  Chosen, 
be  such  select  Vestry; — 

[Number  of  vestrymen.] 

—Of  which  Vestry  the  Number  shall  always  be  Six  at 
least.  Except  upon  Death  or  Resignation  or  other  Dis¬ 
charge  of  any  of  them;  according  to  the  Provision  herein 
made, — 


[Filling  vacancies  in  vestry.] 

To  that  purpose  and  in  such  case  of  Death  or  Resig¬ 
nation  or  other  Legal  1  Discharge  from  serveing  the  re- 
maineing  part  of  such  Vestrys  shall  with  all  convenient 
Speed  Sumon  &  Appoynt  a  Generali  meeting  of  all  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  said  Parish; — 

[Voters  must  be  freeholders.] 

— Who  are  Free  holders  within  the  same  Parish;  and 
Contribute  to  the  Public  Taxes  Charges  of  the  said 
Parish ; — 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  79 


[Vestrymen  must  be  freeholders.] 

— who  shall  by  Majority  of  Voyces  Collect  and 
Choose  one  or  more  Sober  and  Discreet  Person  or  persons 
Freeholders  of  each  Respective  Parish  To  supply  such 
vacansye — 

[Oath  required  of  a  vestryman.] 

And  such  Person  or  Persons  soe  Ellected  and  Chosen 
shall  take  the  Usuall  oath  appoynted  by  Act  of  Parliament 
instead  of  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy;  and  the 
Following  Oaths  viz.  I  doe  Solemnly  Swear  and  Declare  that 
I  will  Justly  and  truly  Execute  the  trust  or  Office  of  a 
Vestryman  of  this  Parish.  According  to  my  best  skill  and 
Knowledge;  without  Prjudice  Favor  or  Affeccon; — 

[Oath  administered  by  justice  of  peace] 

—which  said  Oath  at  the  Elleccon  of  a  New  Vestry 
are  to  be  Administered  by  any  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the 
County;  City  or  Place;  where  such  Vestry  is  who  is  hereby 
required  and  Impowered  to  Administer  the  same. 

[Additional  Oaths  administered  by  either  justice  of  peace 
or  the  ‘‘First  Vestryman.”1] 

And  upon  Elleccon  Afterwards  either  by  A  Justice  of 
Peace  as  aforesaid  or  the  First  Vestryman  who  is  hereby 
likewise  required  &  Impowered  to  Administer  the  same; 

[Additional  oaths  for  vestrymen.] 

And  each  person  soe  Elected  and  Chosen;  shall  like¬ 
wise  subscribe  the  Test;  And  alsoe  the  Association  and 
haveing  soe  Done,  and  not  before  shall  be  Deemed  and 
taken  as  one  of  the  Vestry.  To  all  intents  and  purposes. 

1  Repealed  May  1st,  1704,  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  418. 


80  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[Two  new  vestrymen  chosen  annually.] 

VII.  And  it  is  hereby  further  ordained  and  Enacted  by 
the  Consent  and  Authority  aforesd  that  Two  new  Vestry¬ 
men  shall  be  Annually  Chosen  in  the  Places  of  Two  Others 
who  shall  be  Left  out ; 

[Annual  elections  to  be  on  Easter  Monday.] 

To  wch  purpose  all  the  Inhabitants  of  every  Parish 
being  Freeholders  within  the  same  Parish ;  and  Contributing 
to  the  Publick  Taxes  and  Charges  thereof,  or  such  of  them 
as  shall  think  fitt  to  Attend;  shall  repaire  to  theire  re¬ 
spective  Parish  Churches,  every  Year  Successively  upon 
Easter  Monday. 

[Freeholders  to  name  retiring  vestrymen.] 

And  there  by  their  Free  Choyce,  declare  what  Two 
Persons  shall  be  Discharged  from  their  being  Vestrymen; 
And  Chuse  Two  others  Qualify ’d  according  to  this  Present 
Act;  in  their  stead  &  Room  who  takeing  the  Oaths  and 
performing  all  other  things  required  by  this  present  Act  or 
other  the  Laws  of  this  Province  for  Vestrymen;  Shall  be 
Deemed  and  taken  to  be  members  of  the  said  Vestry;  To 
all  intents  and  purposes. 

[Minister  to  be  one  of  the  vestry.] 

Provided  alwayes  that  in  every  Parish  where  any  Min¬ 
ister  or  Incumbent  is  or  shall  be  Lawfully  according  to  the 
Laws  and  usages  of  this  Province  Appointed;  and  in  pos¬ 
session  of  any  Liveing  invested  with  the  40  p.  Poll;  and 
resideing  therein  he  shall  Dureing  the  continuance  aforsd 
and  noe  longer,  be  one  of  the  Vestry  of  such  Parish;  and 
Principall  of  such  Vestry;  Although  there  be  the  Number 
of  Six  persons  or  more  beside; 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  81 


[Register  of  parish  appointed.] 

And  for  keeping  a  faire  Register  of  all  such  Vestrys 
proceedings  and  for  Registring  of  all  births  Marriages  and 
Burialls;  in  each  Respective  Parish. 

VIII.  Bee  it  Enacted  by  the  Authority  advice  and 
consent  aforesaid.  That  each  Vestry  shall  and  is  hereby 
Obliged  to  provide  a  fitt  Person  for  a  Register ;  who  shall  at 
all  times  keep  a  true  and  faire  Registry  of  the  Sevall  pro¬ 
ceeds  of  Such  Vestry  from  time  to  time  in  Executeing  their 
trust  and  Authority;  and  making  just  and  true  entrys 
thereof, — 

[Register’s  oath.] 

which  Person  soe  to  be  Appointed  for  keeping  such 
Registry,  shall  take  the  Oath  substituted  in  the  place  of  the 
Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy  and  Subscribe  the  Test 
and  Association;  and  alsoe  an  oath  to  be  given  him  by  the 
said  Vestry;  which  oath  the  said  Vestry  are  hereby  im- 
powered  To  Administer  accordingly  for  the  due  and  Faith- 
full  Executeing  his  said  Office;  before  he  shall  be  Admitted 
into  the  said  Office; 

[Register  to  record  vestry  proceedings,  etc.] 

And  shall  make  due  entry  of  all  Vestry  proceedings 
and  of  all  Births,  Marriages  and  Burrials  (Negroes  and 
Mullattoes  excepted)  That  is  to  say  the  Christian  and  Sir 
name;  with  the  day  moneth  and  year  of  every  such  Births, 
Marriages  or  Burryalls; 

[Inhabitants  of  parish  to  furnish  information.] 

To  which  purpose  all  and  every  the  Inhabitants  of 
each  Parish  that  are  either  Parent,  Guardians,  Overseers, 


82  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Masters  or  Mistresses  of  any  person,  borne  Married  or 
buried,  are  hereby  Injoyned  and  required,  To  give  Notice, 
to  the  Register  of  such  Parish  within  two  Moneths  after 
such  Birth,  Marriage  or  Buriall; 

[Register’s  fee.] 

and  pay  him  six  pence  for  entrying  it  at  the  time  of 
giveing  Notice  aforesaid 

[Penalty  of  inhabitants  for  not  giving  information.] 

— under  the  Penalty  of  one  hundred  pounds  of  Tob° 
To  be  forefeited  by  such  Inhabitants  Aforesaid;  Refuseing 
or  neglecting  as  aforesaid — 

[Penalty  of  Register  for  refusing  or  neglecting  to  make 
entries.] 

— under  the  penalty  of  one  hundred  pounds  of  Tob° 
To  be  forefeited  by  such  Register  refuseing  or  neglecting  to 
enter  it ;  haveing  received  his  fee  for  the  same. 

[Register  to  show  records  of  parish.] 

And  such  Register  is  hereby  Obliged  To  shew  any 
Person  or  Persons  Reasonably  clesireing  it  any  such  Register, 
give  a  Cert,  of  any  Births,  Marriages  or  Burialls  That 
shall  be  reasonably  required  of  him; — 


[Register's  fees.] 

— and  Shall  have  for  Fees  from  such  person;  Six  pence, 
for  any  Search,  and  Six  pence  for  any  Copy  or  Cert  given 
as  aforesaid  and  noe  more; 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  83 


[Ratifying  previous  parish  records.] 

— hereby  Ratefying  &  confirming  as  Vallid  all  Regis¬ 
ters,  or  Entrys  of  any  Births,  Marriages,  or  Burialls  here¬ 
tofore  made  with  any  Clarke  of  any  County  Court  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  direccons  of  such  Laws,  as  were  then  in  force* 
before  any  of  those  Laws  were  in  being. 

[Providing  record  books.] 

And  that  the  Register  of  each  Parish  may  be  enabled 
to  performe  the  Charge  hereby  required  of  him. 

IX.  Bee  it  Enacted  by  the  Authority  Advice  and  con¬ 
sent  Aforesaid,  That  if  there  be  any  Vestry  of  any  Parises 
that  has  not  already  Provided  good  and  Substantiall 
Writeing  books;  well  bound  sufficient  for  registring  such 
proceedings,  in  according  to  the  direccons  of  the  former 
Laws: 

[Penalty  for  not  providing  record  books.] 

— that  in  every  such  case  of  such  neglect  or  omission 
the  Vestry  of  such  parish  shall  at  the  Parish  charge,  Pro¬ 
vide  such  book  or  books  within  Six  moneths  from  the  end 
of  this  Session  of  Assembly  under  the  Penalty  of  Five  hun¬ 
dred  pounds  of  Tob°  each  Vestryman  (the  minister  only 
excepted)  neglecting  as  aforesaid.  To  our  Soveraigne  Lord 
the  King,  for  the  uses  within  menconed: 

[Vestry  meetings  once  a  month.] 

And  that  there  may  be  noe  neglect  in  the  Vestry  of 
those  Employ’d  under  them  in  the  Lawfull  and  con- 
scionable  Performance  of  theire  Severall  charges.  The 
said  Severall  Vestrys  are  hereby  obliged  to  meet  once  in 
every  moneth,  or  as  often  as  need  shall  require — 


84  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[Public  notice  of  vestry  meetings.] 

— upon  publick  notice  given  by  the  Principall  Vestry¬ 
man  of  each  Parish  To  Consult  of  the  methods  and  ways 
of  performing  the  severall  Authorityes  reposed  in  them. 

[Penalty  for  absence  of  vestrymen.] 

And  from  which  Vestry  soe  Appointed,  noe  Vestryman 
being  Personally  summoned  shall  without  a  Lawfull  or 
reasonable  Excuse  Absent  himselfe  under  the  Penalty  of 
such  Fine  or  Mulct  as  the  residue  of  the  said  Vestry  meet¬ 
ing  shall  Lay  upon  them,  soe  as  the  same  never  Exceeds 
One  hundred  pounds  of  Tob° — 

[Authority  to  vestrymen  for  calling  a  meeting.] 

— and  upon  default  or  neglect  in  such  Principall 
Vestryman  as  is  before  menconed  to  Sumon  a  Vestry 
when  there  is  need  for  one,  and  he  is  thereunto  requested 
any  other  Three  of  the  Vestry  or  if  there  shall  happen  by 
any  Accident  To  be  but  Two  of  the  said  Vestry,  beside 
the  Principall  Vestryman  resideing  in  the  said  Parish,  such 
Three  or  Two  shall  have  power  and  Authority  To  Sumon 
and  Appoint  a  Vestry  to  be  holden: — 

[Record  of  vestry  proceedings  to  be  kept  in  register.] 

And  all  such  omission  and  neglects  to  be  noted  in  the 
Vestrys  Regr  of  proceedings  And  any  forfeiture  thereby 
incur’d  to  be  recovered  in  his  Majesty's  name — 

[Table  of  marriages  to  be  provided.] 

— and  the  said  severall  and  respective  Vestrys  are 
hereby  further  Enjoyned  That  where  there  is  not  Tables 
of  Marriages  already  put  up  in  theire  respective  Parish 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  85 


Churches,  with  all  convenient  Speed,  and  within  Six 
moneths  at  the  most  To  procure  a  faire  Table  of  Mar¬ 
riages  Transcribed  and  sett  up  In  theire  respective 
Churches  and  the  same  keep  continually  in  theire  said 
Churches  and  persons  being  thereby  informed  what  Mar¬ 
riages  are  forbidden  may  avoyd  the  Contracting  of  any 
such  unlawfull  marriages. 

[Church  wardens  appointed  each  year.] 

And  that  the  said  Vestrymen  the  rest  of  the  In¬ 
habitants  of  every  Parish  being  free  holders  within  the 
same  Parish  and  contributeing  to  the  Publick  Taxes  and 
charges  there  doe  once  every  year  upon  Easter  Munday 
yearly  make  Choyce  and  Appoint  Two  sober  and  Discreet 
Persons  freeholders  of  their  respective  Parishes :  To  be 
Church  Wardens  for  that  year. 

[All  freeholders  of  parish  vote  on  church  wardens.] 

All  the  Inhabitants  of  every  Parish,  being  freeholders 
within  the  same  Parish  and  contributing  to  the  Publick 
Taxes  and  charges  thereof.  Have  in  Liberty  alsoe  To 
vote  in  the  Choyce  of  Church  wardens. — 

[Penalty  of  vestrymen  for  nonperformance  of  duty.] 

— each  Vestryman  Expecting  as  before  Excepted 
being  under  the  Penalty  of  Two  hundred  pounds  of  Tob° 
for  neglecting  either  to  procure  a  Table  of  Marriages  or 
to  Appoynt  Church  Wardens;  To  our  Soveraigne  Lord 
the  King  as  aforesaid, — 

[Oath  of  church  wardens.] 

— which  Church  Wardens  soe  Chosen  shall  Take  the 
usuall  Oaths.  And  likewise  declare  on  his  Oath  to  be 


86  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


Administered  unto  him  by  the  Vestry  to  whome  power 
is  hereby  given.  To  Administer  the  same  Accordingly; 
well  and  Faithfully  to  Execute  that  Office  for  the  En- 
sueing  year:  According  to  the  Lawes  and  Usages  of  the 
said  Province  to  the  best  of  his  Skill  and  power  and 
untill  he  shall  be  thereof  duly  Discharged. 

[Fines  for  church  wardens.] 

And  any  such  person  or  persons  soe  Chosen  Church 
Warden  or  Wardens;  that  shall  wilfully  refuse  To  Serve 
in  the  said  Office  and  take  the  Oaths  aforesaid :  shall  be 
find  one  thousand  pounds  of  Tob°  To  our  Soveraigne  Lord 
the  King: — 

[Church  wardens  and  vestry  to  see  that  parochial  charges 
are  paid.] 

And  the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestry  are  Authorized 
and  required  To  take  constant  care  To  satisfye  and  pay 
the  Parochiall  charges  and  all  necessary  repaires  and 
Amendnf8  of  theire  respective  Churches,  Chappels  or 
Church  yards,  and  cause  the  same  at  all  time  to  be  re¬ 
paired  and  Amended  as  need  shall  require: — 

[To  be  paid  out  of  gifts  to  the  parish.] 

— out  of  such  gifts,  goods  or  Chattels,  as  shall  come  to 
their  hands  for  the  Church  or  Parish  use:  and  the  pay¬ 
ment  of  with  Parochiall  charges. 

[Fines  to  be  levied  by  church  wardens.] 

All  the  Fines  forefeitures  and  Mulcts,  by  this  Law 
incurr’d  shall  be  Levyed  by  the  Church  Wardens  in  each 
respective  Parish.  And  by  them  accordingly  Applyed; 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  87 


and  in  Case  they  shall  not  have  sufficient  Effects  to  pay 
Parochiall  charges  as  aforesaid  or  to  make  such  necessary 
repaires  as  is  required: — 

[Justices  of  county  courts  to  assess  ten  pounds  of  tobacco.] 

Then  and  not  otherwise  it  shall  be  Lawfull  for  the 
Justices  of  the  County  Courts  upon  Applycacon  of  such 
parish  Vestry  and  Church  Wardens,  To  Assess  the  re¬ 
spective  parishes  by  a  certaine  sume  of  Tob°  not  exceed¬ 
ing  Tenn  pounds  of  Tob°  by  the  Poll  in  any  one  year: — 

[Sheriff  authorized  to  collect  tax.] 

— which  AssessnT  made  by  such  County  Court: 
And  a  Certificate  thereof  under  the  County  Seale  shall  be 
sufficient  to  the  Sherriff  of  such  County  to  Levy  such 
Tax  by  the  Poll  on  the  Taxables  of  such  Parishes  in  the 
same  maher  as  other  Public  dues  are  Levyed — 

[Sheriffs  fees.] 

— and  shall  not  deduct  above  Five  p.  hundred  for  his 
Sallerv, — 

[Church  maintenance  tax  paid  to  vestry.] 

— and  pay  the  same  to  such  Vestry  for  the  use  afore¬ 
said. 

[Defines  the  purposes  of  this  Act.] 

And  to  the  intent  that  this  Act  may  Answer  the  end 
of  the  makers,  which  is  that  his  Matyes  Good  Subjects 
of  this  Province  may  be  instructed  in  Religion  and  therein 
of  their  Duty  to  God,  his  Matye  and  themselves,  And 
those  pious  and  Exemplary  persons  that  shall  Labour 
therein  Suitably  provided  for — 


88  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[Ministers  limited  to  two  parishes.] 

X.  Bee  it  Enacted  by  the  Authority  Advice  and  con¬ 
sent  aforesaid,  that  no  Minister  or  Incumbent  shall  at  one 
time  hold  more  than  two  parishes — 

[Minister’s  hold  two  charges  subject  to  vestrys  of  the  two 
parishes.] 

— nor  Two  [parishes]  unless  by  the  desire  or  Agree¬ 
ment  of  the  Vestry  of  the  said  Adjacent  parish  and  con¬ 
sent  of  the  Vestryes  where  he  resides.  And  appoyntment 
of  the  Ordinary, 

[Lay  Readers  appointed  by  vestry  and  licensed  by  the 
Ordinary.] 

— and  where  there  are  not  or  shall  not  be  Ministers 
in  any  Parish  it  shall  and  may  be  Lawfull  to  the  Vestry 
To  provide  some  Sober  and  Discreet  person  as  a  Reader, 
And  present  him  to  the  Ordinary, — 

[Lay  reader's  Salary.] 

— who  may  Sequester  part  of  the  Forty  pounds  p. 
poll;  To  pay  him  for  such  Service; 

[Remainder  of  “Forty  p.  poll”.] 

And  the  rest  to  be  Apply’d  as  the  Law  in  cases  of 
such  Vacancies  directs. 

[Lay  Readers’  oaths  and  license.] 

And  upon  such  Readers  takeing  the  Aforesaid  Oathes 
Appoynted  by  Act  of  Parliament;  Subscribing  the  Test 
and  Association,  and  procureing  Lycence  from  the  Ordi¬ 
nary — 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  89 


[Lay  Reader’s  duty.] 

— shall  and  may  read  Divine  Service,  Homilies  and 
such  other  good  Authors  of  Practicall  Divinity  as  shall  be 
Appointed:  at  the  usuall  Times  in  such  Churches  or 
ChappUs  and  therein  shall  Demean  himself  according  to  the 
Lyturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  as  aforesaid: — 

[Vestry  meetings  dates  fixed.] 

And  for  the  Preventing  of  Delayes  and  other  incon¬ 
veniences  which  might  happen  if  there  were  a  necessity 
for  the  Expecting  the  Attendance  and  presence  of  all  the 
said  Vestrymen;  And  at  the  same  time  to  prevent  the 
doeing  of  any  thing  of  Consequence  by  Surprize  by  a 
small  number  of  them. — 

XI.  Bee  it  hereby  Enacted,  That  the  First  Tuesday  in 
Every  Moneth  shall  be  and  is  hereby  fixt  and  Ascer¬ 
tained  for  holding  a  Vestry  at  a  Eleaven  of  the  Clock  in 
the  Forenoon  in  the  usuall  place  for  that  purpose,  without 
any  notice  or  warning  to  be  given  thereof, — 


[Number  constituting  a  vestry  meeting.] 

— at  which  time  and  Place,  the  major  part  of  the 
Vestrymen  then  present  (soe  as  such  Majority  be  not 
under  the  number  of  Three  persons)  shall  be  esteemed  a 
Vestry. 

[Authority  for  vestry  to  act.] 

And  shall  have  full  power  to  ordr  Direct  and  Act  in 
all  things,  by  this  Act  Appoynted.  To  be  done  According 
to  this  Act  as  a  Vestry; — 


90  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[Vestryman  to  be  removed  for  non  attendance.] 

And  that  in  case  any  Vestryman  shall  remove  or 
with  draw  himselfe  from  the  Parish  or  Voluntarily  or 
Freequently  neglect  to  give  his  Attendance,  and  Absent 
himselfe  from  the  Vestry  or  otherwayes  become  unfitt  or 
Incapable  to  continue  To  execute  the  said  Office  or  Trust, 
that  in  any  such  case  the  residue  of  the  said  Vestry  or  the 
majority  of  them  (soe  as  such  majority  be  not  under  the 
number  of  Three  persons)  shall  and  may  have  power  After 
personall  Notice  given  to  such  party  if  it  conveniently 
may  be,  or  the  affixing  of  a  publick  notice  upon  the  great 
Door  of  the  Church  for  three  Severall  Sundays  Succes¬ 
sively.  If  personall  notice  can  not  be  given  without  great 
Difficulty  charge  or  Delay,  of  their  Intentions  to  proceed 
in  such  manner  To  remove  such  person  from  being  a 
Vestryman  and  to  declare  his  Office  voyd — 

[Electing  new  vestrymen  in  usual  wav.] 

— to  Suction  a  meeting  of  the  Parishioners  Qualified 
as  is  above  Directed  for  the  Electing  another  in  the  place 
of  such  person  (who  shall  after  Allowing  a  reasonable 
time  to  such  person  to  make  his  complaint  if  he  Appre¬ 
hend  himselfe  injuryed  not  exceeding  a  Fortnight)  Pro¬ 
ceed  to  a  new  Election  accordingly — 

[Register  must  show  vestry  books  and  parish  accounts.] 

And  that  there  may  not  be  any  appressioT  or  mis- 
applycacon  of  the  publick  Revenue  by  such  Vestrys  or 
just  cause  of  Complaint  Against  them  in  any  of  theire 
proceedings  without  redress. 

XII.  Bee  it  Enacted  by  the  Authority  advice  and  con¬ 
sent  aforesaid,  that  all  and  every  Parishioner  and  Pa- 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  91 


rishioners  whatsoever  who  contribute  to  the  Publick  Taxes 
and  charges  of  the  said  Parish  shall  and  may  require  the 
Register  herein  before  menconed.  At  any  reasonable  or 
Convenient  time  or  Times  to  give  them  an  Inspection  of 
the  Vestry  books  and  Accompts  of  all  every  theire  orders 
and  proceedings. 

[Register  to  make  copy  of  records.] 

And  shall  and  may  take  Copy  thereof  paying  a 
reasonable  Fee  for  the  same  according  to  the  length 
thereof,  and  the  trouble  of  Attendance. 

[Appeals  from  parish  records  to  be  made  to  the  Governour 
or  Deputy  Governour  and  Councill.] 

And  that  all  and  every  Person  and  persons  whatsoever 
who  shall  find  or  Apprehend  him  her  or  themselves 
grieved  or  Injuried,  or  that  the  body  of  the  Parish  is  in- 
juried  or  Appressed  by  any  Acts,  Orders,  Rules,  Ac¬ 
counts  or  other  proceedings  of  any  such  Vestry.  The 
partves  soe  injuryed  or  any  other  in  their  behalfe  or  in 
right  of  the  whole  body  may  from  time  to  time  Appeale 
for  Redress  against  all  and  every  such  orders  Accounts 
and  other  proceedings.  To  the  Governour  or  Deputy 
Governour  for  the  time  being,  and  Councill  of  the  said 
Province, — 

[Decision  of  Governour  and  Council  to  be  final.] 

— who  are  hereby  required  and  impowered  to  Ex¬ 
amine,  hear  and  Determine,  all  and  every  such  Appeale 
and  Complaints  for  Redress.  And  to  give  Redress  as 
they  in  theire  Judgmc  shall  think  agreeable  to  Justice  and 
Equity;  and  such  their  order  Judgrrfi  and  Decree;  shall 


92  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


be  finall  &  bind  all  parties;  the  right  of  Appeal  being 
alwayes  Reserved  to  his  Matye  in  Councill  according  to 
the  Lawes  of  this  Province — 

[Exemption  of  dissenters  and  Quakers.] 

Provided  alwayes  that  every  of  his  Matyes  Prot¬ 
estant  Subjects  within  this  Province;  Decenting  from  the 
Church  of  England.  As  to  matters  relateing  to  the  Wor- 
shipp  and  Service  of  Almighty  God  And  the  Decenters 
Comonly  called  Quakers  in  all  matters  relateing  To  the 
takeing  of  Oathes  and  all  protestant  Decenters  whatsoever 
as  to  all  discharges  and  Exemplicacon  from  penaltyes  or 
forfeitures  upon  Acc*  of  theire  Desenting  Separate  meet¬ 
ings  or  other  matters  wherein  Tolleracon  and  ease  is 
granted.  To  Protestant  Decenters  by  one  Act  made  in 
the  First  Year  of  the  reigne  of  his  present  Matye  and 
his  late  Consort  Queen  Mary  of  Blessed  Memory  En- 
tituled  An  Act  for  Exempting  theire  Matyes  Protestant 
Subjects  Decenting  from  the  Church  of  England  from  the 
Penaltyes  of  Cert  Lawes;  And  by  another  Act  made  in 
the  7th  and  8th  years  of  the  Reigne  of  his  present  Matye 
Intituled  An  Act  that  the  Solemn  Affirmacon  or  Declar 
of  the  people  called  Quakers  shall  be  Accepted  instead  of 
an  oath  in  the  Usual  forme,  Shall  have  the  full  benefitt  of 
all  Exemptions  ease  and  Indulgence  by  the  said  Acts 
granted  and  allowed  according  to  the  True  intent  and 
meaning  of  the  sd  Acts  they  respectively  confirming 
themselves  in  theire  meeting  and  Assembling. 

[Jurisdiction  of  local  Justices  of  Peace.] 

And  all  other  things  to  the  ordr  and  rules  Enjoined 
by  the  said  Acts  with  this  Alteracon  only  that  the  severall 
things  required  or  appointed  by  the  sd  Acts  to  be  done 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  93 


by  or  at  the  Gen11  or  Quarter  Session  of  the  Peace  or  any 
other  Court  whatsoever  or  by  Two  or  to  any  one  single 
Justice  of  the  Peace  shall  be  done  by  to  and  at  the  re¬ 
spective  County  Courts  of  this  Province  within  whose 
Jurisdiction  the  matter  shall  fall  out;  and  before  to  or  by 
the  Justices  of  the  same. 

[Dissenters’  places  of  worship  to  be  registered.] 

And  that  the  severall  places  used  for  Religious  wor- 
shpp  by  any  such  Decenting  Congregacon  or  Assembly 
shall  be  Certified  unto  and  Register’d  at  the  sd  County 
Court,  in  the  same  maher,  as  is  by  the  said  first  men- 
coned  Act  appointed  to  be  done,  To  the  Bishop  of  the 
Diocesse,  The  Arch  Deacon  of  the  Arch  Deaconary,  and  the 
Justices  of  the  Peace  At  theire  general  1  or  Quarter  Sessions. 

[Repeal  of  Act  of  1700.] 

Provided  alsoe  and 

XIII.  Be  it  further  Enacted,  that  one  Act  made  at  a 
Gen11  Assembly,  begun  and  held  at  the  Port  of  Annapolis 
the  26th  day  of  April!  1700  Intituled  an  Act  for  the  Ser¬ 
vice  of  Almighty  God,  and  Establishnfi  of  Religion  in 
this  Province  According  to  the  Church  of  England,  &?c 
Bee  and  is  hereby  repealed  and  made  voyd.” 

“The  Governor  endorsed  the  bill  in  these  words  viz1 
‘On  behalfe  of  his  most  Sacred  Majtye  King  William  the 
Third  Szc  I  will  these  to  be  Laws’ 

N.  Blakiston’’1 

March  25th,  1702. 2 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  264. 

2  It  is  apparent  that  the  news  of  the  death  of  King  William  which  occurred 
on  the  8th  of  March  had  not  reached  the  Province  of  Maryland  at  the  time  this 
bill  was  passed. 


94  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“Which  being  done  his  Excy  was  pleased  to  Seale 

them  with  the  Broad  Seale  of  this  Province . , 

Thereupon  Mr.  Speaker  and  the  rest  of  the  Members  were 
prorogued  (until  25th  of  April)  accordingly. 

Soe  ended  the  Second  Sessions  of  the  Assembly  on 
Wednesday  the  25th  day  of  March  Anno  Dni.  1702  and  in 
the  14th  yeare  of  the  Reigne  of  our  Sovereigne  Lord  Wil¬ 
liam  the  third  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  Engld  Scotld 
France  and  Ireland  King  defender  of  the  faith,  8A 

W.  Taylard, 

Clk :  house  Dell.”1 


’Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  264. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  95 


VALIDITY  OF  THE  ACT  OF  1702 

“At  the  Court  of  S'  James1 
18th  January  1702/3 

Present  the  Queen’s  Majtie  in  Councell 

Whereas — By  Powers  granted  under  the  Great  Seal  of 
England,  the  Governor,  Council  and  Assembly  of 
her  Majties  Province  of  Maryland  have  been 
authorized  and  impowered  to  constitute  and 
ordaine  Laws,  Statutes  and  Ordinaries  which 
are  to  be  in  force  until  her  Majties  pleasure  shall 
be  signified  to  the  Contrary,  and 

Whereas — -Pursuant  to  the  said  powers  an  Act  has  been 
lately  passed  by  the  Governor,  Council  and  As¬ 
sembly  of  the  said  Province  entitled  'An  Act  for 
the  Establishment  of  Religious  Worship  in  this 
Province  according  to  the  Church  of  England 
and  for  the  Maintenance  of  Ministers’  which  said 
Act  having,  upon  the  perusal  of  the  Lords 
Comrs  of  Trade  and  Plantation  been  prscribed 
by  her  Majtie  for  her  approbation  of  this  Board. 

Her  Majtie  with  the  advice  of  her  Governor  and  Council  is 
pleased  to  declare  her  approbation  of  the  same. 

Pursuant  to  her  Majties  pleasure  herein  signified,  the  said 
Law  is  hereby  confirmed  and  finally  enacted  and 
ratified  accordingly. 

John  Povey” 

[Deputy  Secretary  of  the  Plantation  Office] 


1  Vestry  Proceedings,  All  Saints  Parish,  Calvert  County. 


96  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“Maryland  s  s 

By  the  Honorable  Presidnt  &  Councell 
22nd  June  1703 

Ordered  that  her  MajUes  most  Sacred  Majties 
Royall  Assent  to  the  Act  of  Religion  (as  above) 
be  published  by  the  severall  Ministr  at  the 
parish  Churches  the  First  Tuesday  in  August. 

Signed  p  order 
Wm  Bladen 
Clk  Council. 


At  A  Vestry  Meeting 
3rd  August  1703 

This  day  according  to  the  Order  of  the  President 
and  Council  was  published  her  MajUes  Royall 
Assent  to  the  Act  of  Religion.  The  vestry 
being  present.  Mr  Thos.  Cockshutt,  Mr  Wm 
Dalrumple,  Mr  James  Heigh,  Mr  Edw-  Baleter 
and  Mr  Joseph  Hall.’’1 


1  Vestry  Proceedings,  All  Saints  Parish,  Calvert  County. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  97 


BASIS  OF  CLAIM  THAT  THIS  ACT  WAS  VOID 

“The  following  facts  may  be  premised  as  the  case — 
King  William  deceased  on  the  8th  of  March  1701/2;  the 
assembly,  which  was  therefore  called  in  the  usual  manner 
met  on  the  16th  of  the  same  month,  and  during  its  sitting 
passed  the  Act  in  question,  without  the  possibility  of 
knowing,  that  such  an  event  had  taken  place.  Governor 
Seymour  the  successor  of  Governor  Blackistone,  who 
summoned  the  assembly  upon  his  arrival,  on  the  11th  of 
April,  1704,  found  the  same  assembly  existing,  that  had 
been  called,  by  his  predecessor,  in  the  name  of  King  Wil¬ 
liam;  so  that  there  were  three  several  seccessions  of 
assembly  held,  after  the  demise  of  King  William,  to  wit, 
in  June  1702,  in  October  1703,  and  in  April  1 704. ’ ’ 1 

“The  Act  of  1701/2  under  which  the  claim  was  pre¬ 
ferred  was  passed  by  a  House  of  Delegates  chosen  under 
writs  of  election  issued  the  name  of  King  William,  the 
Government  [of  Maryland]  being  then  in  the  hands  of 
the  Crown.  A  few  days  after  the  decease  of  this  King 
and  without  any  fresh  writs  of  election  or  summons,  the 
Assembly  was  convened  and  the  Act  in  question  was  passed. 
It  was  now  [1772]  contended  that  by  the  death  of  the  king 
that  Assembly  was  dissolved ;  and  that  this  Act  being  passed 
thereafter,  was  absolutely  void,  and  not  susceptible  of  con- 
firmationby  subsequent  acts  merely  presuming  its  existence. 

The  opinions  of  Mr.  Hollyday  and  Mr.  Dulany, 
sustaining  the  validity  of  the  Act;  and  those  of  Mr.  Paca 
and  Mr.  Chase  in  opposition  to  it,  have  been  preserved 
and  are  remarkable  for  their  ingenious  views  and  pro¬ 
found  investigations.”2 

The  American  Revolution  settled  the  controversy  over  the 
validity  of  the  Act  of  1702  before  it  reached  the  courts. 

1  Chalmers,  Opinions  of  Eminent  Lawyers,  p.  303. 

2  McMahon,  History  of  Maryland,  p.  399. 


98  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


DISPOSITION  OF  “FORTY  PER  POLL.” 

“At  a  Council  held  at  the  Port  of  Annapolis 
Friday,  March  20th  1702. 


Present 


His  Excellency  the  Governour,  (Nathaniel  Blackiston) 


Col.  Edwd  Lloyd 
Lt.  Col.  \Vm  Holland 
James  Saunders  Esqr 


Col.  John  Addison 
Thomas  Brooke,  Esqr 
Col.  John  Courts 


And  this  Board  being  of  opinion  that  all  Tob°  raised 
by  the  40  lb  p.  Poll  whilst  no  incumbent  in  the  Parish  and 
lodged  in  the  Vestry's  Hands  is  not  the  right  of  any  minister 
who  are  only  by  law  entituled  to  that  part  of  the  40  lb  p. 
Poll  proportionable  to  such  Time  they  shall  officiate  in 
their  respective  Parishes,  and  that  such  Tob°  ought  to  be 
applyed  by  the  Vestry  for  the  use  of  the  Parish.”1 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  217. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  99 


DISPOSITION  OF  TOBACCO  TAX1 
Repair  Churches,  Buy  Land,  Stock  for  Glebes,  etc. 

Act  of  1704 


Title. 

“An  Act  to  Declare  how  the  forty  pounds  of  Tobacco 
p.  poll  in  such  Parishes  where  there  is  no  Incumbent  shall 
be  disposed  of. 


[Preamble.] 

Whereas  by  an  Act  of  Assembly  made  at  a  Generali 
Assembly  begun  and  held  at  the  Port  of  Annapolis  the 
twenty  sixth  day  of  April  One  thousand  Seven  hundred  and 
two  Entituled  an  Act  for  the  Service  of  Allmighty  God  and 
Establishment  of  Religion  in  this  Province  according  to  the 
Church  of  England,  8zca  There  is  no  provision  made  where 
there  is  a  Vacancy  or  no  Incumbent  in  a  Parish  how  or  to 
what  use  the  forty  pounds  of  tobacco  p.  Poll  shall  be 
Applyed. 

Therefore  the  Burgesses  and  Delegates  of  this  present 
Generali  Assembly  pray  that  it  may  be  Enacted  and — 


[Vestrymen  to  have  control.] 

I.  Be  it  Enacted  by  the  Queens  most  excellent  Ma¬ 
jesty  by  and  with  the  advice  and  Consent  of  her  Majesty’s 
Governour  Councill  and  Assembly  of  this  Province  and  the 
authority  of  the  same.  That  what  tobacco  of  the  sd  forty 
p.  poll  hath,  is  or  shall  become  due  in  any  Parish  where 
there  is  hath  or  shall  be  no  incumbent  the  said  tobacco 
shall  be  Employed  and  applyed  to  and  for  the  uses  follow¬ 
ing  (that  is  to  say)  by  the  Vestrymen  of  each  respective 
Parish — 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  420. 


100  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


[Vestrymen  to  use  it  for  repairing  Churches,  etc.] 

— who  are  hereby  Empowered  to  dispose  thereof  for 
and  toward  the  repairing  such  Churches  as  are  allready 
built  finishing  and  Compleating  the  insides  thereof  as  the 
said  Vestrymen  shall  think  fitt  or  for  the  purchasing  a 
Pulpit  Cloth  Cushion  bible  or  Common  Prayer  book  or 
Church  Plate  for  the  use  of  the  said  Church 

[Confirming  Vestry's  Action.] 

And  of  any  Vestry  hath  already  applyed  or  laid  out 
the  said  Tobacco  or  any  part  thereof  to  the  uses  aforesaid 
such  application  or  disposals  is  hereby  Confirmed. 

[To  build  new  Churches.] 

II.  And  be  it  further  Enacted  by  the  Authority  afore¬ 
said  by  and  with  the  Advice  and  Consent  afd  that  in 
Any  Parish  where  the  Church  is  old  or  so  out  of  repaire 
as  not  fitt  to  be  made  use  of  and  shall  be  so  adjudged  by 
the  Vestrymen  of  such  Parish  It  shall  and  may  be  Law- 
full  to  and  for  such  Vestrymen  to  apply  the  said  forty 
pounds  of  tobacco  p.  poll  for  the  building  of  a  new  one — 

[Empower  the  Vestrymen  to  buy  land.] 

And  it  hath  or  shall  so  happen  by  reason  of  a  Long 
Vacancy  in  such  Parish  that  there  shall  be  no  occassion  to 
apply  the  said  Tobacco  to  the  uses  afd  or  of  any  such  to¬ 
bacco  after  such  application  hath  or  shall  remaine  in  the 
hands  of  the  Vestry  The  Vestry  sd  are  hereby  directed  and 
Empowered  to  purchase  therewith  either  a  plantation  with 
a  Tract  of  Land  or  a  Certaine  Tract  of  Land  as  near  and 
contiguous  to  the  Churche  belonging  to  such  Parishes  as 
may  be  (and  if  there  be  no  Church  in  such  Parishes  then  to 
purchase  a  tract  of  Land  as  may  be  most  Convenient  for 
the  Inhabitants  thereof  and  build  a  Church  thereon) 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  101 


[Property  to  be  known  as  Glebe.] 

Which  Plantation  or  Land  shall  be  and  forever  remaine 
as  a  Glebe  to  the  use  of  the  ministers  of  such  Parish  for  the 
time  being  who  shall  be  Lawfully  inducted  and  appointed 
according  to  the  usage  of  the  Church  of  England  and  this 
Province. 

[Surplus  Tobacco  to  be  used  for  “Stocking”  the  Glebe.] 

And  if  there  shall  happen  in  any  Parish  to  be  Tobacco 
over  and  above  answering  the  uses  aforesaid  it  shall  be 
Employed  to  the  Improvement  and  Stocking  such  Glebe  as 
the  Vestry  Shall  Judge  most  Proper. 


[Sheriffs  fees  for  collecting  the  “forty  p.  poll."] 

And  forasmuch  as  by  the  said  recited  act  there  is 
nothing  Allowed  to  the  Sheriffe  for  Collecting  the  said 
forty  pounds  of  Tobacco  p.  poll  and  paying  the  same  to  the 
incumbent  or  Vestry — 


III.  Bee  it  Enacted  by  the  Authority  afd  that  the 
Sheriffs  of  each  respective  County  shall  have  allowed  him 
or  them,  out  of  the  said  forty  pounds  of  tobacco  per  poll 
which  they  shall  pay  to  such  Vestry  or  incumbent,  five 
pounds  of  Tobacco  p.  cent  for  Collecting  and  Paying  the 
same  and  no  more,  any  Law  Statute  or  usage  to  the  Con¬ 
trary  notwithstanding. 


May  the  2d  1704 
Read  and  Assented  to  by 
the  house  of  Delegates 
W.  Taylard 

Clk  House  Del. 


May  the  2d  1704 
Read  and  Assented  to  by 
her  Majties  honble  Councill 
W.  Bladen 

Cl.  Council. 


102  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


May  the  third  Seventeen  hundred  and  four 

On  behalf  of  her  most  sacred  Majesty  Anne  by  the 
Grace  of  God  of  England  Scotland  France  and  Ireland  and 
the  Dominions  thereunto  belonging  Queen  Defender  of  the 
faith,  &ca 

I  will  this  to  be  a  law. 


Jo.  Seymour  f  ‘with  the 

Great  Seal  of 


1 


Maryland 
Sealed.’  ” 


PART  VI. 

COUNTIES,  PARISHES,  HUNDREDS,  CHURCHES 
VESTRYMEN  AND  MINISTERS,  ETC. 


— - - — 


PARISHES 


“In  England  the  parish  may  be  regarded  as  essen¬ 
tially  an  Ecclesiastical  institution  being  defined  as  the 
township  or  cluster  of  towns  which  was  assigned  to  the 
ministration  of  a  single  priest,  etc. 

The  beginnings  of  the  parochial  system  are  attributed 
to  Theodore  of  Tarsus  who  was  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 
toward  the  close  of  the  seventh  century  ....  The 
two  systems,  the  parish  and  the  township,  have  existed  for 
more  than  a  thousand  years  side  by  side,  identical  in  area 
and  administered  by  the  same  persons  and  yet  separate  in 
character  and  machinery. 

The  boundaries  of  the  old  ecclesiastical  parishes  are 
usually  identical  with  those  of  the  township  or  townships 
comprised  within  its  precinct  ....  many  parishes 
contain  more  than  one  township."1 

HUNDREDS 

The  work  of  dividing  the  counties  into  parishes  by  the 
justices  and  Freeholders  showed  that  they  followed  the 
lines  of  the  hundreds  or  districts  of  the  counties.  Accord¬ 
ing  to  Webster's  Dictionary  a  “hundred"  is  a  division  of  a 
county  supposed  to  contain  a  hundred  families. 

“The  origin  of  these  divisions  (lathe,  soke,  tithing, 
hundreds,  etc.)  is  generally  ascribed  to  the  creative  genius 
of  Alfred  [The  Great,  849-901]  who,  according  to  the  popu¬ 
lar  theory,  divided  the  country  into  counties,  the  county 
into  hundreds,  and  the  hundreds  into  tithings,  or  towns."2 

1  Encyc!.  Brit.,  Vol.  18,  p.  295  (9th  Ed.). 

2  Encycl.  Brit.,  Vol.  12,  p.  360  (9th  Ed.). 


105 


106  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


CHURCHES  STANDING  BEFORE  THE 
ESTABLISHMENT 


“Before  1691  there  were  the  following  Churches1 


County 

Church 

Minister 

St.  Mary’s 

Trinity 

Rev.  Mr.  Davis 

do 

St.  George’s 

do 

do 

St.  Paul’s 

do 

Charles 

Christ 

Rev.  Mr.  Moore 

do 

Portobacco 

do 

Calvert 

Christ 

Rev.  Mr.  Turling 

do 

All  Faith’s 

do 

do 

St.  Paul’s 

do 

Baltimore 

St.  George’s 

do 

St.  John’s 

Cecil 

North  Sassafras 

Rev.  Mr.  Vander- 
bush 

do 

South  Sassafras 

do 

Kent 

Kent  Island 

do 

St.  Paul’s 

Talbot 

St.  Luke’s 

Rev.  Mr.  Lillings- 
ton 

do 

St.  Paul’s 

do 

do 

Wye 

Revs.  Clayland  and 
Leach 

Dorchester 

Dorchester  [Trinity] 

Rev.  Mr.  Huett 

Somerset 

All  Saints  Monii 

Rev.  Mr.  Huett 

Anne  Arundel  Herring  Creek 
do  All  Hallows 


1  From  the  manuscript  of  the  late  Dr.  Ethan  Allen,  Protestant  Episcopal 
clergyman,  for  many  years  Historiographer  of  the  Diocese  of  Maryland,  Photo¬ 
stat  Copy,  p.  1  5. 


lUIA 


PROPOSED  SEAL  FOR  THE  COUNTIES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 

Authorized  1692.  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  f.  290  and  Vol.  8,  f.  383.  It  is  not  now  known 
that  any  of  these  seals  were  made. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  107 


COUNTIES  OF  MARYLAND— 16921 

The  Provincial  Assembly  resolved  after  debate  that  the 
members  from  the  Counties  take  “precedency”2  as  follows: 

“City  of  Sc  Maryes 


6.  Baltemore  County 


1.  Sc  Maryes  County 


7.  Talbott 

8.  Sumersett 

9.  Dorchester 

10.  Cecill 


2.  Kent 

3.  Ann  Arundall 

4.  Calvart 

5.  Charles 


There  were  protests  made  against  this  order  by  the 
residents  of  Kent  County.  They  wanted  to  be  recognized 
as  the  oldest  county  of  the  Province.  Among  other  protests 
one  was  presented  to  the  Assembly  on  Oct.  15th,  1695,  and 
Mr.  Matthew  Erexon  (Eareckson),  an  inhabitant  of  the 
“Isle  of  Kent"  was  allowed  to  speak  on  its  merits.3  The 
official  recognition  of  this  petition  and  the  ruling  of  the 
Council  appears  as  follows: 

“Council  Chamber  May  2d  16964 

Kent  Island  petition  produced  and  Ordered  sent  down  [to 
the  Lower  House]  with  the  following  endorsement,  vizc — 

By  His  Excell’ncy  the  Govnr  and  Council  &c.  Upon 
reading  the  within  Petition  it  was  Ordered  that  the  same  be 
sent  down  but  with  this  note  that  His  Excellcy  will  in  no 
wise  Assent  to  any  Alteration  contrary  to  the  late  Act 
and  that  whereas  it  is  insisted  upon  that  they  [the  In¬ 
habitants  of  the  Isle  of  Kent]  are  the  most  antient  County, 
it  is  Observed  that  the  first  People  that  Inhabited  the  same 
did  not  acknowledge  themselves  Belonging  to  this  Province 
and  therefore  are  not  the  most  antient  County.” 

1  The  arrangement  of  the  counties  is  in  accordance  with  the  date  of  their 
erection.  Under  this  plan  the  parishes  are  given  numbers  in  accordance  with 
those  of  the  county  in  which  they  were  erected. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13.  p.  350. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  251. 

4  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  300. 


108  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


THE  PARISHES  ERECTED  IN  1692-1693 


County 

1.  St.  Mary’s 

2.  Kent 

3.  Anne  Arundel 

4.  Calvert 

5.  Charles 

6.  Baltimore 

7.  Talbot 

8.  Somerset 

9.  Dorchester 
10.  Cecil 


Parish 

1.  William  and  Mary 

2.  King  and  Queen 

3.  Kent  Island  or  Christ  Church 

4.  St.  Paul’s 

5.  Herring  Creek  or  St.  James 

6.  South  River  or  All  Hallows 

7.  Middle  Neck  or  St.  Ann’s 

8.  Broad  Neck  or  Westminster 

9.  Christ  Church 

10.  All  Saints 

11.  St.  Paul’s 

12.  All  Faiths 

13.  William  and  Mary  or  Pickawaxon 

14.  Port  Tobacco 

1  5.  Nanjemy  or  Durham 

16.  Piscataway  or  St.  John’s 

1 7.  Patapsco  or  St.  Paul’s 

18.  St.  John’s  or  Copley 

19.  St.  George’s 

20.  St.  Paul’s 

21.  St.  Peter’s 

22.  St.  Michael’s 

23.  Somerset 

24.  Coventry 

25.  Stepney 

26.  Snow  Hill  or  All  Hallows 

27.  Great  Choptank 

28.  Dorchester 

29.  So.  Sassafrax  or  Shrewsbury 

30.  No.  Sassafrax  or  St.  Stephen’s 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  109 


I  have  not  been  able  to  find  a  record  of  St.  Andrew’s 
Parish  having  been  laid  out  in  1692  though  the  Fulham 
papers  are  said  to  mention  it  as  one  of  the  original 
parishes  of  the  Province  of  Maryland.  In  1744  a  St.  An¬ 
drew’s  Parish  was  erected  in  St.  Mary’s  County.  It  would 
seem  probable  that  it  would  have  been  erected  in  Cecil 
County  had  all  of  the  territory  of  that  County  been  taken 
into  consideration.  North  Sassafras  Parish,  in  Cecil 
County,  apparently  did  not  cover  all  of  the  part  of  the 
county  which  lay  north  of  the  Sassafras  River  at  that 
time,  1692. 


110  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


ST.  MARY’S  COUNTY 

Named  in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary, 
the  landing  in  St.  Mary’s  of  the  Colonists 
having  been  made  on  the  Feast  of  the  An¬ 
nunciation,  March  25th,  1634. 

ST.  MARY’S  COUNTY  (erected  1637)  bounds  began  at 
Point  Lookout  thence  with  the  Potomac  river 
No.  1  to  the  southern  boundary  of  Charles  County, 
then  in  an  easterly  direction  to  a  line  parallel¬ 
ing  the  “Three  Notched  Road,’’  then  the  line  ran  to  Pyne 
Hill  creek  or  river,  then  down  this  creek  to  the  Chesapeake 
bay  and  thence  to  the  place  of  beginning.  It  will  be  ob¬ 
served  that  St.  Mary’s  county  did  not  extend  to  the  Patux¬ 
ent  river;  the  “Three  Notched  Road”  practically  divided 
it  from  Calvert  county  on  the  north. 

Shortly  after  the  “Establishment”  the  lines  were 
changed  (1695),  and  are  described  in  the  Assembly  records1 
as  follows:  “St.  Mary’s  county  Bounds  begin  on  the  lower 
side  of  Birds  [now  Budd’s]  creek  on  the  Potomock  river  and 
so  runne  to  the  lower  side  of  Indian  creek  on  Potuxent 
river — ,  and  that  the  divisions  be  straight  lines  from  the 
heads  of  the  said  creekes.” 

“Sc  MARIES  COUNTY  is  divided  into  Ten  Hundreds 
besides  the  City,  viz1 — 

Resurrection 
S1  Maries 
New  Town 
Choptico 
S1  Michaells 
St.  Georges 


1  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  23.  p.  23. 


TRINITY 

St.  Mary's  City,  St.  Mary’s  County 
Built  of  brick  from  the  Old  State  House. 


_ 


l.EONARDTOWN,  St.  Mary's  COUNTY 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  111 


Sc  Inego’s 
S1  Clements 
Harvy 

and 

Poplar  Hill  ) 

Sc  Maries  City.”1  j 

“S1  MARIES  COUNTY  COURT  to  be  kept  in  S1  Maries 
City  and  that  the  State  House  there  be  for  a  Court 
house  and  Church  the  Act  to  take  place  on  the  23d  of 
April  next  [1695]  being  S£  Georges  day.”2 

“S*  MARIES  COUNTY  is  divided  into  two  Parishes,  and 
that  the  same  be  divided  between  New  Town  hun¬ 
dred  and  Clements  hundred  by  Mr  Langworths 
Branch  [now  St.  Clements  river]  which  leads  to  the 
Petuxant  main  road  and  the  sd  branch  divides  the 
said  hundreds  &  parishes  the  Lower  whereof  being 
called  by  the  Name  of  William  and  Mary  Parish 
and  the  Upper  by  the  Name  of  King  and  Queen 
Parish.”3 

“It  was  by  the  Justices  and  Freeholders  of  the 
said  county — met  at  New  Town  the  day  and  year 
above  said — 5th  day  of  September  1692.” 

IN  THE  REPORT  to  the  Assembly  in  1694,  July  30th,  we 
find  the  following: — 

“SAINT  MARIES  COUNTY  is  divided  into  two  parishes 
which  both  contain  about  One  thousand  Tythables. 

1  Church  built  at  Sc  Georges. 

1  Church  to  be  built  near  Cap1  Cood's. 

No  minister  inducted. 

A  Glebe  at  St.  Georges  of  300  Acres  Rented 
at  2000  lbs  of  tobacco  per  Annum.”4 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  17. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  159. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  17. 

4  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  106. 


112  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  PARISH  embraced  all  that 
part  of  St.  Mary’s  County  lying  between  St. 
No,  1  Clement’s  bay  and  Point  Lookout  on  the 
Chesapeake  bay.  Its  boundaries  were  "the 
Potomac  river,  St.  Clement’s  bay  and  river,  the  Calvert 
County  boundary  line,  [then  near  the  Three  Notched  road] 
to  Pine  Hill  creek  and  with  Pine  Hill  creek  to  the  Ches¬ 
apeake,  thence  down  the  Chesapeake  bay  to  Point  Lookout.’’1 

"VESTRYMEN  for  William  and  Mary  Parish  chosen, 
&lca  viz1 

Mr  Kenelm  Cheseldyne 
Maj.  John  Campbell 
Mr  Robert  Mason 
Mr  John  Watson 
Mr  John  Llewellin 
Mr  Thomas  Beale  "2 

THE  FIRST  CHURCH  in  this  parish  was  St.  George’s 
Church  built,  about  1642,  at  Poplar  Hill.3  It  was  the 
second  Protestant  church  built  in  the  Province. 
MR.  THOMAS  DAVIES  was  lay  reader  in  1691.4 * 

Mr.  -  Crawford  officiated  in  1694, 6  no 

minister  having  been  inducted.  The  Rev.  Benjamin 
Nobbes  was  rector  from  1696  to  1700. 6 


1  Chronicles  of  Colonial  Maryland,  p.  204. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  17. 

3  Chronicles  of  Colonial  Maryland,  p.  205. 

4  Allen  Ms.,  p.  1  5. 

6  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  106. 

6  B.  C.  Steiner,  Md.  Hist.  Mag.,  Vol.  12,  p.  118. 


ST.  GEORGE 

Poplar  Hill,  St.  Mary's  County 

It  was  here  that  the  first  permanent  Church  of  England  Clergyman,  the  Rev.  William  Wilkinson,  M.A.  (Oxon.),  began 
in  1650  his  13  years  of  ministry  in  the  Province. 


CHRIST,  BUILT  1737 
Chaptico,  St.  Mary's  County 

This  church  succeeds  the  one  built  in  1642  by  Thomas  Gerrard.  He  presented  the 
congregation  that  same  year  with  a  glebe. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  113 


KING  AND  QUEEN  PARISH  extended  from  St.  Clements 
bay  and  river  to  the  extreme  end  of  St. 

No.  2  Mary’s  county  as  then  defined  and  which 
embraced  within  its  limits  the  territory  known 
as  Newport  Hundred,  now  part  of  Charles  County. 

Its  boundaries  were  St.  Clements  bay  and  “run” 
[then  known  as  “Mr.  Langworth’s  Branch “],  the  Calvert 
County  line  [near  the  “Three  Notched  Road”]  to  the  upper 
extremity  of  Newport  Hundred,  thence  to  the  headwaters 
of  Wicomico  river  [now  Zachia’s  swamp]  and  with  the  Wi¬ 
comico  river  and  the  Potomac  river  to  the  beginning. 

“VESTRYMEN  for  King  Queen  Parish  Chosen  &Z  ca 
Viz' — 

Col.  Nehemiah  Blackiston 
Capc  John  Cood 
Mr  Richard  Clouds 
Capc  John  Dent 
Mr  Philip  Brisco 
Mr  Jn°  Barecraft.1 

THE  FIRST  CHURCH  was  probably  “Newport 
Church”  then  located  west  of  the  center  of  the 
parish  near  Newport.  The  Episcopal  Church  of  St. 
Clements  manor  on  St.  Pauls’  creek,  erected  in  1642, 
was  the  third  Protestant  church  built  by  the  Col¬ 
onists.  A  Chapel  built  prior  to  1692  on  Church 
“run,”  stood  at  Wicomico  between  Plowden’s  Wharf 
and  Bluff  Point.2  “The  church  for  King  <3z  Queen 
parish  in  St.  Mary’s  County  is  built  at  Wicomico 
on  land  belonging  1696  to  Capt.  Gerrard  Slye.’’3 

“REV.  MR.  THOS.  DAVIS  minister  prior  to  1 69 1 .  ”4 
The  Rev.  Christopher  Platts  was  rector  of  this 
parish  in  1696- 1700. 5 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  18. 

2  Chronicles  of  Colonial  Maryland,  Thomas. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  585,  and  Md.  Cal.  of  Wills,  Vol.  1,  p.  48. 

4  Allen  Ms.  p.  1 5 

5  B.  C.  Steiner,  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  118. 


114  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


KENT  COUNTY 

Named  for  the  English  county  of  Kent. 

KENT  COUNTY'S  (erected  1642)  boundaries  went  through 
many  changes  prior  to  the  “Establishment" 

No.  2  and  it  may  prove  of  interest  to  state  here  the 
most  important  ones. 

The  Isle  of  Kent  had  once  comprised  the  whole  of  the 
Eastern  Shore  of  the  Province  north  of  the  Choptank  river 
and  in  his  “History  of  Maryland"  McMahon  says  “The 
subdivision  called  the  Isle  of  Kent  being  in  its  origin,  as 
was  St.  Mary’s,  the  name  of  an  undefined  settlement,  the 
County  of  Kent  received  its  definite  limits  from  the  erec¬ 
tion  of  other  counties  around  it."1 

The  County  of  Kent  comprised  at  successive  times 
parts  of  Baltimore  and  Cecil  counties  and  received  its 
present  limits  or  bounds  in  1706.  The  boundaries  in  1692 
of  Kent  county  comprised  the  whole  of  Kent  Island  and 
that  portion  of  the  present  county  that  lies  south  of  a  line 
that  ran  from  “Buck  Neck,"  at  the  head  of  Worton  creek, 
to  some  point  on  Morgan’s  creek. 

The  land  records  of  Baltimore  county  prior  to  the  erec¬ 
tion  (in  1674)  of  Cecil  county  indicate  that  the  southern 
bounds  of  Baltimore  county  were  as  stated  in  the  above 
paragraph. 

Kent’s  boundaries  became  confused  by  the  proclama¬ 
tion  erecting  Cecil  county,  and  protests  from  the  inhabi¬ 
tants  of  the  lower  part  of  Kent  county  brought  forth  another 
proclamation  as  follows:  “Forasmuch  as  by  a  late  Procla¬ 
mation  bearing  date  the  sixth  day  of  this  instant  June  some 
Additions  were  made  to  several  counties  upon  the  division 
of  that  of  Baltimore  County  and  by  the  proclamation  it 
was  then  declared  that  Swan  Point  downe  to  Hell  point  on 


1  McMahon,  Hist.  ofMd.,  p.  82. 


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VESTRY  HOUSE.  BUILT  I7b6 
St.  Paul's  Parish,  Kent  County 

One  of  two  such  buildings  erected  in  original  parishes  in  the  Province.  The  other  one  is  in  St.  George's  Parish,  Harford 
County. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  115 


Chester  River  should  be  and  remaine  for  the  future  belong¬ 
ing  to  that  Eastern  side  of  the  Bay  lately  erected  and  called 
by  the  name  of  Cecill  County  upon  further  consideration 
hereof  it  is  thought  most  necessary  that  so  much  of  the 
Eastern  side  as  was  formerly  added  to  Kent  County  doe 
still  remaine  and  belong  to  the  said  County  as  afore  not¬ 
withstanding  that  part  of  the  said  proclamation,  in  witness 
whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  caused  the  lesser 
seale  of  this  Province  to  be  hereunto  affixed  the  19th  day 
of  June  in  the  42nd  Yeare  of  the  Dominion  of  Cecilius,  <Szc. 
Annoq  Dmi  1674 

“To  all  whom  these  may  Concern”1 

“KENT  COUNTY  is  divided  into  Seven  Hundreds  viz1 — 
Town  Hundred  Island  Hundred 

Chester  River  Lower  “  Eastern  Neck 

Langfords  Bay  “  “  Chester  Upper 

Swann  Creek  “  ”2 

KENT  COUNTY  has  2  parishes 

1  Church  built  (Kent  Island) 
another  laid  out  to  be  built;  but  noe  min¬ 
ister”3 

Report  to  Assembly  July  30th,  1694. 

KENT  COUNTY  is  divided  into  two  parishes  viz1 — 
Kent  Island  &  Sc  Paul’s  Parish.  Kent  Island  Parish 
is  bounded  Natureally  within  its  Self.  Sc  Paul’s 
Parish  consists  of  the  Rest  of  the  County.”4 

THE  COURT  FOR  KENT  was  held  in  the  house  of  the 
prominent  freeholders  until  1680  at  which  time  a 
Court  House  was  built  in  the  town  of  New 
Yarmouth  on  Gray’s  Inn  Creek.  In  1696  it  was 
abandoned  and  a  Court  House  built  on  the  present 
site  at  Chestertown.5 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  15,  p.  41.  (Signed  by  Charles  Calvert.) 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  25. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  107. 

4  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 

5  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  376. 


116  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“KENT  ISLAND  PARISH  is  bounded  Natureally  within 
it  Self.”1  The  Chesapeake  bay  and  the  Ches- 
No.  3  ter  river  washed  its  northern  and  western 
shores.  Eastern  bay  and  the  “Narrows” 
divided  it  from  the  main  land  on  the  east  and  south.  This 
parish  was  also  known  as  Christ  Church  Parish  in  1698. 2 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  Chosen  &ca  viz1 
Mr John  Coppage 
Coll.  Wm  Laurence 
Mr  Philip  Conner 
Mr  Alexander  Walkers 
Mr  Edward  James 
Mr  Valentine  Southern”3 

BROAD  CREEK  CHURCH  was  erected  on  Kent  Island  in 
1652  according  to  the  various  authorities  who  have 
written  of  this  island  parish.  The  old  site  is  at  the 
head  of  Broad  creek  and  it  is  said  that  the  water  in 
the  creek  was  deep  enough  at  the  time  the  church 
was  built  to  allow  boats  to  land  at  its  doors.  It  is 
near  the  pla^e  supposed  to  have  been  selected  by 
Cleyborn  for  the  holding  of  divine  services  when  “he 
brought  the  Rev.  Mr.  Richard  James  to  the  Island 
in  1631. ”4 

Anthony  Workman5  left  £50  on  Sept.  6th,  1708, 

‘ ‘for  erecting  a  Church  in  Christ  Church  Parish, Kent. 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 

2  Maryland  Calendar  Wills,  Vol.  3,  p.  21. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 

4  Claiborne  and  Kent  Island  in  Maryland  History  by  DeCoursey  W.  Thom. 

1  Md.  Calendar  of  Wills,  Vol.  1 ,  p.  115. 


CHRIST 

Stevensville,  Kent  Island 

This  is  the  successor  of  the  church  that  was  built  on  Broad  Creek  about  1652,  the 
ruins  of  which  are  about  one  mile  south  of  Stevensville.  Twenty-one  years  prior  to  the 
building  of  the  old  church  the  Reverend  Richard  James  had  preached  to  the  settlers 
on  the  Isle  of  Kent." 


t 


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THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  117 


ST.  PAUL'S  PARISH  “consists  of  the  rest  of  the  County.’’1 

The  Chesapeake  bay  from  Worton  creek  south 

No.  4  to  the  Chester  river  bounded  the  parish  on  the 
west,  the  Chester  river  also  bounded  it  on  the 
south  and  east.  The  northern  line  ran  from  Morgan’s  creek,  a 
branch  of  the  Chester  river,  to  the  head  waters  of  Churn 
creek.2 

“VESTRYMEN  chosen  for  the  sd  Parish  &  Ca  viz1 — 

Mr  William  Frisby 
Mr  Michael  Miller 
Mr  Hans  Hanson 
Mr  Charles  Til  den 
Mr  Thomas  Smyth 
Mr  Simon  Wilmore” 

ST.  PAUL’S  CHURCH  is  the  parish  church  and  stands 
at  the  head  of  Dunn's  creek,  the  Northwest  branch  of 
Langford’s  bay,  amid  a  grove  of  giant  oaks.  The 
church  was  completed  in  1713. 

THE  REV.  STEPHEN  BORDLEY  was  sent  in  1697  to  the 
parish  to  take  up  the  work  that  had  been  begun  by  the 
Rev.Mr. Lawrence  Vanderbush,  the  first  minister.  Mr. 
Vanderbush  went  to  St.  Paul’s  in  September,  1693  and 
not  only  preached  in  this  parish  but  also  held  services  in 
South  Sassafras  or  Shrewsbury  parish.  This  latter 
parish  was  then  within  the  bounds  of  Cecil  county. 
The  Rev.  Stephen  Bordley  incumbent  1696.3 

By  an  Act  of  the  Assembly,  passed  April  4th,  1697,  the  division  line  between 
this  and  Shrewsbury  parish  was  determined  and  a  commission  appointed  to  run 
the  line  and  make  a  report  to  the  Assembly.  The  bounds  of  St.  Paul’s  parish  were 
changed  but  little  when  the  line  was  finally  run  in  1698;  the  commission  finished 
its  work  that  year.  The  following  is  a  partial  copy  of  the  Act;  ’’That  from  and 
after  the  tenth  of  June  1698  all  that  land  and  inhabitants  in  Chester  river  above 
the  riding  over  of  a  branch  of  Morgan's  Creek  on  the  east  side  of  William  Bate¬ 
man's  house  and  on  the  north  side  of  a  line  drawn  from  the  riding  over  of  the 
sd  branch  to  the  head  of  a  branch  of  a  Creek  issueing  out  of  the  Bay  called  Churn 
Creek,  be  Always  taken  and  reputed  and  be  in  Shrewsbury  parish  and  All  the  land 
on  the  South  side  of  the  sd  Churn  Creek  and  Branch  and  Division  line  down  the 
Bay  to  the  extent  of  CECIL  COUNTY  be  added  to  St.  Paul's  parish  in  KENT 
COUNTY  on  the  North  side  of  Chester  River  and  Always  to  be  Reputed  in  St. 
Paul's  Parish  any  Law,  Custom  or  Usage  to  the  contrary  Notwithstanding.” 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 

3  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  119. 


118  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


ANNE  ARUNDEL  COUNTY 

Named  for  Lady  Anne  Arundel,  the  wife  of 
Cecilius  Calvert,  second  Lord  Baltimore. 

ANNE  ARUNDEL  COUNTY’S  (erected  1650)  southern 
boundary  was  a  “line  from  Herring  Creek  to 

No.  3  the  head  of  Patuxant  River.’’1 

The  Chesapeake  bay  was  the  eastern 
boundary  and  according  to  the  Act  of  Assembly  of  1722, 
Chap.  No.  3,  the  division  between  Westminster  parish  in 
Anne  Arundel  and  the  parish  of  St.  Paul’s  in  Baltimore 
county  apparently  ran  from  the  Chesapeake  bay  at  a 
point  about  equidistant  from  the  Magothy  river  and  the 
mouth  of  Bodkin  creek  to  about  where  the  present  village 
of  Elkridge  is  situated.  This  line  followed  the  ridge  be¬ 
tween  the  Patapsco  and  Magothy  rivers.  How  long  this 
line  had  served  to  divide  the  two  parishes  is  not  known. 

The  following  official  record  shows  that  part  of  Anne 
Arundel  belonged  to  Baltimore  county  in  1694: 

“Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  Situated  upon  the  South 
Side  of  the  Patapsco  River  praying  that  they  may  be  Re- 
joyned  to  the  County  of  Ann  Arrundell  as  formerly  they 
were.  Which  being  Read,  Ordered  that  the  said  peticon  be 
sent  to  the  house  of  Assembly  for  their  considercon.’’2 

“By  the  Assembly,  Oct.,  3rd  1694. 

The  within  Petition  Read  &  Considered,  Voted  whether 
the  South  Side  of  Patapsco  River  be  added  to  the  County 
of  Ann  Arrundell  or  Remaine  still  as  it  is.  Carried  by 
Majority  of  votes  to  Remaine  as  it  is.’’3 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  318. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  31. 

3  Arch.  Kid.,  Vol.  19,  p  69. 


STATE  HOUSE 

Annapolis,  Anne  Arundel  County 

Here  many  of  the  laws  affecting  the  early  Church  in  the  Province  were  enacted. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  119 


“ANN  ARRUNDEL  COUNTY  is  divided  into  Six  Hun¬ 
dreds  viz1 

1.  Town  Neck  Hundred 

2.  Middle  Neck 

3.  Broad 

4.  South  River 

5.  West 

6.  Herring  Creek  “  1,1 

“ANN  ARRUNDEL  COUNTY  is  Divided  into  Four 
Parishes  vizc — 

Herring  Creek  Parish 
South  River 
Middle  Neck 
Broad  Neck  “  "2 

IN  THE  REPORT  to  the  Assembly  on  July  30th,  1694, 
Anne  Arundel  was  said  to  contain : 

“4  Parishes  laid  out 
but  noe  churches  built, 
nor  noe  Minister.”3 

THE  PARISHES  in  Anne  Arundel  county  were  divided  by 
the  rivers  that  emptied  into  the  Chesapeake  with  the 
exception  of  Broad  Neck,  or  Westminster,  parish  on 
its  northern  side.  This  parish  was  divided  from  St. 
Paul's  parish  in  Baltimore  county  as  described  on 
page  138  of  this  book.  Their  western  boundaries 
being  the  line  run  north  from  the  branch  of  Matta- 
woman  creek  to  the  northern  limits  of  the  Province, 
as  called  for  in  naming  the  bounds  of  Piscataway 
parish  in  Charles  county.4 

THE  COURT  HOUSE  for  Anne  Arundel  county  was 
built  at  Annapolis. 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  25. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  19. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  107. 

4  See  description  Piscataway  Parish.  Page  135 


120  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


"HERRING  CREEK  PARISH  consists  of  Herring  Creek 
Hundred  and  the  major  part  of  West  River 

No.  5  Hundred.’’1 

"Beginning  at  ye  Southmost  bounds  of 
South  River  Parish  and  bounding  on  ye  East  with  ye  bay 
of  Chesapeake  lieing  down  southerly  to  ye  creeke  called 
Fishing  Creek  then  west  with  ye  Said  creeke  to  ye  bounds 
of  Ann  Arundel  and  Calvert  Countys  to  Lyons  Creek  then 
with  the  said  creeke  to  Potuxent  then  up  the  said  river  to 
ye  land  called  White  Plaines  to  the  Southernmost  bounds 
of  South  River  Parish”2  and  to  the  beginning. 

"VESTRYMEN  chosen  for  Herring  Creek  Parish,  viz1 — 
Thomas  Tench  Esqr 
Mr  Seth  Biggs 
Cap1  William  Holland 
Cap1  Robert  Lockwood 
Mr  James  Rigbey 
Mr  Nicholas  Perret.’’3  (Turrett?) 

HERRING  CREEK  (now  known  as  St.  James’)  CHURCH 
was  built  in  1 765.  The  records  of  the  parish  go  back 
to  1695. 4  When  the  vestry  assumed  charge  of  the 
parish  they  found  an  old  church  already  standing. 
It  was  the  church  of  the  original  Herring  Creek 
Parish.  "The  vestry  set  about  building  a  new  edifice, 
the  contract  for  which  was  given  out  in  1695. "5 

THE  FIRST  RECTOR  of  the  parish  was  the  Rev.  Henry 
Hall.  He  served  from  1695  until  his  death  in  1721. 
He  was  regularly  inducted  May  7th  1698.  Joseph 
Tilley  was  lay  reader  in  1696  and  1697.6 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  19. 

2  Church  Life  in  Colonial  Maryland,  p.  63. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  19. 

4  Old  Brick  Churches,  Ridgely. 

6  Church  Life  in  Colonial  Maryland,  Gambrall,  p.  68  &'257 

«  Allen  Ms.,  p.  18. 


St.  JAMES,  BUILT  1765 
I  Ierring  Creek,  Anne  Arundel  County 


HMIMMS 


liiPi'I'Hl 

Ifcwili 


ALL  HALLOWS,  BUILT  ABOUT  1727 
South  River,  Anne  Arundel  County 

This  church  has  been  recently  repaired.  It  succeeds  one  standing  at  the  time  of  the  Establishment. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  121 


“SOUTH  RIVER  PARISH  consists  of  South  River 
Hundred  and  a  Small  part  of  West  River 
No.  6  Hundred.’’1 

’’VESTRYMEN  Chosen  for  South  River  Parish: 

Cap1  Hen.  Hanslope 
Mr  John  Gresham 
Mr  William  Roper 
Mr  Edw.  Burgess 
Mr  Walter  Phelps 
Mr  John  Watkins.”2 

’  ‘ALL  HALLOWS  CHURCH  was  built  about  1 727,  succeed¬ 
ing  an  earlier  one  which  antedated  the  Establishment. 
The  Rev.  Duell  Pead  performed  the  rites  of  baptism 
in  this  neighborhood  from  1682  to  1690.”3  He 
preached  by  request  a  sermon,  1683,  before  the 
Provincial  Assembly4  at  St.  Mary’s  City. 

THE  REV.  JOSEPH  COLEBATCH  served  as  first  rector, 
beginning  his  work  in  1695.  He  died  in  173 5. 5 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  19. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  19. 

3  Old  Brick  Churches.  Ridgely 

4  See  page  7  of  this  book. 

5  Allen  Ms. 


122  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“MIDDLE  NECK  PARISH  is  Scituated  betwixt  South 
No.  7  River  and  Severn  River.”1 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  chosen  &ca  Vizc 
Mr  Thos.  Bland 
Mr  Richd  Wharfield 
Mr  Laurence  Draper 
Mr  Jacob  Harness 
Mr  Wm  Brown 
Mr  Corne.  Howard.”2 

ST.  ANN'S  CHURCH  was  begun  in  1696  and  finished  in 
1699.  Committee  appointed  by  Governor  Nicholson 
reported,  October  2,  1696,  that  “We  find  by  com¬ 
putation  that  the  Building  of  the  Church  [St. 
Ann's]  at  Annapolis,  according  to  the  modell  pre¬ 
scribed  by  his  Excellency  will  not  cost  less  than 
1200  pounds  Sterling.”3  Rebuilt  in  1792  and  again 
in  1858. 

THE  REV.  PEREGRINE  CONY  was  rector  of  this 
parish  from  1696  to  1698.  The  Rev.  James  Wootton 
was  rector  from  1706  to  Apr.  19,  1710. 4 


1  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  23.  p.  19. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  20. 

*  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  450 

4  Allen  Ms. 


ST.  ANN.  BUILT  1699.  REBUILT  1792  AND  1858. 

Middle  Neck  Parish,  Annapolis,  Anne  Arundel  County 


! 

[ 

! 

j 


) 

,7 


i 

i 

I 


I 


! 


ST.  MARGARET 

Westminster  Parish,  Anne  Arundel  County 

The  first  church,  built  shortly  after  the  Establishment,  replaced  with  brick  church,  1731.  The  present  church  erected 
near  site  of  the  second  church. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  123 


“BROAD  NECK  PARISH  is  situated  on  the  North  Side 
of  Severn  River  including  Town  Neck  & 
No.  8  Broad  Neck  Hundreds.”1  This  is  now  known 
as  Westminster  Parish. 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  Chosen,  &ca  viz1 
Mr  John  Bennet 
Mr  William  Hopkins 
Mr  Rob't  Eagle 
Mr  George  Eager 
Mr  Hugh  Merrican 
Mr  Edw.  Fuller.”2 

THERE  WAS  A  CHURCH  prior  to  1692  which  stood  on 
Severn  Heights.  It  was  destroyed  by  fire  many 
years  ago,  the  parish  records  perishing  with  the  old 
church.  A  few  tombstones  and  the  stone  founda¬ 
tion  of  the  old  church  remain  to  mark  the  site. 

THE  REV.  EDWARD  TOPP,  JR.,  was  the  first  rector. 
The  Rev.  Edward  Topp,  Jr.  was  incumbent  in  1696.3 
Dr.  Ethan  Allen4  states  that  he  (Topp)  was  there  in 
1698.  He  also  states  that  the  Rev.  James  Wootton 
was  rector  in  1705. 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  20. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  20. 

3  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  119. 

4  Allen  Ms.  p.  18. 


124  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


CALVERT  COUNTY 

Named  for  the  Calvert  Family. 

CALVERT  COUNTY  (erected  1650)  in  1692  was  divided 
from  Anne  Arundel  County  “by  a  line  from 

No.  4  Herring  Creek  to  the  head  of  the  Patuxent.”1 

On  the  east  the  county  was  bounded  by 
the  Cheapeake  bay.  On  the  south  and  west  by  Pyne  Hill 
creek,  then  paralleling  the  Three  Notched  Road  and  then 
on  through  the  woods  to  the  “head  of  the  Patuxent.” 
Calvert  County  in  1692  comprised  parts  of  the  present 
counties  of  St.  Marys,  Charles,  Prince  Georges  and  Anne 
Arundel. 

“At  that  time  the  Governor  decided  to — ‘Erect  make 
and  appoint  both  sides  of  the  Putuxent  river  into  one 
County  by  the  name  of  calvert  county  bounded  on  the 
Southside  with  Pynehill  River  or  Creek  to  the  head  thereof 
and  from  thence  through  the  woods  to  the  head  of  Putexent 
River  being  the  Northerly  bound  of  St.  Maries  County 
and  bounded  on  the  North  Side  with  the  Creek  upon  the 
Westerne  Side  of  Chesapeake  Bay  called  the  Herring  Creeke 
and  from  thence  through  the  woods  to  the  head  of  Putuxent 
River  being  the  Southerly  bound  of  Anne  Arundel 
County’.”2 

The  two  parishes  of  St.  Paul’s  and  All  Faiths  which 
were  within  the  bounds  of  the  old  county  were  laid  out  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Patuxent  river. 

"CALVERT  COUNTY  is  divided  into  Six  Hundreds, 
vizc — 

Lyons  Creeke  Hundred  Hunting  Creek  Hundred 
Lower  End  of  Cliffs  “  Leonards  Creek 

Upper  End  of  Cliffs  “  Elton  Head  “  ”3 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23, 

2  The  Counties  of  Maryland.  Edward  B.  Mathews. 

!  Arch.  Md..  Vol.  23,  p'.  23. 


MIDDLEHAM  CHAPEL,  BUILT  1748 
Christ  Church  Parish,  Lusby,  Calvert  County 


ST.  PAUL 

Prince  Frederick,  Calvert  County 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  125 


“CALVERT  COUNTY  is  divided  into  Four  Parishes, 
viz' 

Christ  Church 
All  Saints 
St.  Pauls 
All  Faiths.”1 

REPORT  to  the  Assembly 
July  30,  1694. 

“CALVERT  COUNTY  has 

5  parishes  laid  out, 

3  whereof  have  Churches  built, 
but  noe  Ministers.”2 

THE  FIRST  COURT  HOUSE  for  Calvert  was  the 
church  at  Mt.  Calvert.  “Ordered  that  it  be  moved 
to  the  Burgesses  for  a  law  that  the  church  at  Mount 
Calvert  be  a  Court  house  as  well  as  a  Church.”3 
Court  House  at  Calvert  Town  1694. 4 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  18. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  108. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  284. 

4  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  76. 


126  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“CHRIST  CHURCH  PARISH  consists  of  these  following 
Hundreds,  viz' 

No.  9  Hunting  Creek  Hundred 


Leonards  Creek 
Eltonhead 
Clifts  Lower 


do 

do 

do 


“VESTRYMEN  chosen  at  the  time  and  place  [Waring- 
town],  viz': — 

Mr  Richd  Smith 
Cap'  Thomas  Clegate 
Mr  Henry  Firnley 
Mr  Francis  Maulden 
Mr  John  Manning 
Mr  Samuel  Holdsworth”2 

“THE  CHURCH  being  already  built  [1692],  called  by  the 
name  of  Christ  Church  standing  on  one  acre  of  land 
gave  by  Mr.  Francis  Mauldin  for  the  same  Intent 
and  purpose  out  his  tract  of  land  called  by  the  name 
of  ‘Prevent  Danger \“3  Christ  Church  was  rebuilt 


in  1735. 

THE  FIRST  MINISTER  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Mul- 


lett  who  preached  in  this  vicinity  in  1684. 4  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Furling  was  preaching  there  in  169 1.5 
The  Rev.  Richard  Hill  was  the  minister  of  Christ 
Church  Parish  serving  there  in  1694. 6  The  Rev. 
Henry  Hall  was  rector  1 695—  1 697. 7 


ONE  SET  OF  THE  LIBRARY  books  sent  over  to  the 


Province  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Bray  was  sent  to  Mr. 
Richard  Smith,  a  vestryman  of  Christ  Church 
Parish.8 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  18. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  472. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  472. 

4  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  17, 

6  Allen  Ms.,  p.  1  5. 

6  Allen  Ms.,  p.  68. 

7  Allen  Ms.,  p.  18. 

9  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  212. 


CHRIST,  BUILT  ABOUT  1735 

Port  Republic,  Calvert  County 


ALL  SAINTS 

Sunderland,  Calvert  County 
I  his  church  succeeds  one  built  prior  to  1695. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  127 


“ALL  SAINTS  PARISH  consists  of  these  two  following 
Hundreds,  viz1 — 

No.  10  Lyons  Creek  Hundred  and  the 
Upper  hundred  of  the  Clifts.’’1 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  chosen  &ca  viz1 
Mr  Walter  Smith 
Mr  William  Nichols 
Mr  William  Turner 
Mr  John  Scott 
Mr  John  Leech  Junr 
Mr  John  Hance.  ”2 

“AND  A  CHURCH  to  be  built  on  one  acre  of  land  be¬ 
longing  to  Thomas  Kemp  on  the  cross  Road  of 
Severn  Ridge  Path  and  the  road  leading  to  Cox 
town  to  be  called  by  the  name  of  All  Saints  Church.  ’  ’3 
“Petition  of  the  vestrymen  of  the  parish  of 
All  Saints  in  Calvert  County  sitting  forth  that  they 
had  taken  care  to  build  a  church  within  their  said 
parish  and  had  sometimes  on  Sunday  in  an  after¬ 
noon  the  benefit  of  Mr  Hull’s  preaching  amongst 
them,  etc.’’4  The  present  church  was  built  in  1815. 

REV.  HENRY  HALL  officiated  in  1694. 6  “Mr  Andrew 
Geddes,  layreader  at  All  Saints  October  8th  1696.”6 
Mr.  Thomas  Cockshutt  was  appointed  minister 
in  1697. 

“AN  ACCT  OF  THE  SIX  SETS  OF  BOOKS  the  Bishop 
of  London  sent  and  where  they  are  and  to  whom 
delivered  to.  To  Walter  Smith,  vestryman  of  the 
church  newly  built  in  the  freshes  of  the  Patuxent 
where  Mr  Hull  intends  to  preach..’’7 


128  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“ST.  PAUL’S  PARISH  consists  of  the  following  bounds, 
viz1 

No.  1 1  From  the  Upper  Part  of  M1  Calvert 

hundred  to  the  main  branch  of  Swantsons 

Creek.”1  This  was  decided  at  a  "Court  held  at  Benedict 

Leonard  Town  the  14th  of  February,  1693.” 

"VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  chosen  &ca  viz1 
Mr  Thomas  Brooke 
Mr  Thomas  Greenfield 
Mr  Thomas  Hollyday 
Mr  Richd  Charlet 
Mr  William  Barton 
Mr  Sam1  Magruther.”2  [Magruder] 

“THE  CHURCH  for  the  same  [parish]  being  already 
built  [1692]  at  Charles  Town  called  by  the  name  of 
St.  Paul’s  Church.”3 

REV.  MR.  TURLING  was  rector  prior  to  1691. 4  The 
encumbent  in  1696  was  Monsieur  Morien.5  Rev. 
Thos.  Davis  was  rector  in  1695 ,6  and  the  Rev.  Robert 
Owen,  from  1700  to  1710. 

QUEEN  ANNE  PARISH  in  1704  was  erected  from  this 
parish  by  Act  of  the  Assembly,  Chapter  96. 7 

“ONE  SET  OF"  BOOKS  to  Thomas  Hollyday  vestry¬ 
man  of  the  church  at  Mount  Calvert  for  that 
church.”8 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  18. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  18. 

*  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  473. 

4  Allen  Ms.  p.  15 

5  B.  C.  Steiner,  Md.  Hist.  Mag.,  Vol.  12,  p.  118. 

5  Allen  Ms.,  p.  18. 

7  Bacon’s  Laws  of  Maryland. 

8  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  212. 


ST.  PAUL,  BUILT  1733 
Baden,  Prince  George's  County 


ALL  FAITH,  BUILT  1765 
Mechanicsville,  St.  Mary's  County 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  129 


‘‘ALL  FAITHS  PARISH  consists  of  the  following  bounds, 
vizc 

No.  12  From  the  main  branch  of  Swanson’s 

Creek  to  the  Lower  part  of  Harvy  Hundred.”1 

‘‘VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  chosen,  viz1 
Mr  James  Keech 
Mr  John  Smith 

Mr  Rich’d  Southern  [Sotheron] 

Mr  John  Giliam 
Mr  Charles  Askue  [Ashcom  ?] 

Cap1  Richd  Gardner.”2 

“THE  CHURCH  for  the  said  Parish  being  already  built 
standing  by  the  fork  of  Trent  Creek  called  by  the 
name  of  All  Faiths  Church.”3  The  present  church 
erected  1765. 

“REV.  MR.  TURLING  minister  prior  to  1691.”4  The 
Rev.  Thomas  Davis  went  there  as  rector  in  1695.5 

TRINITY  PARISH  was  erected  out  of  part  of  this  parish 
by  Act  of  the  Assembly,  1744,  Chapter  14.6 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  18. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  18. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  474. 

4  Allen  Ms.  p.  15. 

6  Allen  Ms.,  p.  18. 

6  Bacon's  Laws  of  Maryland. 


130  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


CHARLES  COUNTY 

Named  for  Charles  Calvert,  Third  Lord  Baltimore 

CHARLES  COUNTY  (erected  1658)  in  1692  was  bounded 
on  the  south  and  west  by  St.  Mary’s  county 
No.  5  and  the  Potomac  river,  on  the  east  by  Calvert 
county  and  the  north  by  the  Maryland- 
Pennsylvania  line.  This  may  be  more  fully  described  by 
quoting  from  Thomas’  Chronicles  of  Colonial  Maryland: 
“Charles  County  bounds,  the  river  Wicomico  to  its  head  and 
from  the  mouth  of  that  River  up  the  Potomac  as  high  as  the 
settlements  extend  and  thence  to  the  head  of  Wicomico.’’ 
In  describing  the  bounds  of  Piscataway  Parish,  the  north¬ 
ernmost  of  the  Charles  county  parishes,  Dr.  Allen  gives 
practically  all  of  the  rest  of  the  Province  (not  already  cov¬ 
ered  by  the  other  nine  counties)  to  this  county  thereby 
making  it  nearly  equal  in  area  to  all  the  other  counties 
combined. 

“CHARLES  COUNTY  is  divided  into  Seven  hundreds, 
viz1 

Lower  part  of  William  &  Mary  Parish  Hundred. 

T  T  It  II  II  H  “  »»  *  * 

Upper 

East  Side  of  Portobacco 
West 

Lower  part  of  Nanjemy  Parish 
Upper 

Upper  “  “  King  Queen  Parish1 

Benedict  Town  being  joyned  to  part  of  King  & 
Queen  Parish.”2 


1  This  Hundred  counted  as  part  of  St.  Mary’s  until  1716.  Was  also  known 
as  Newport  Hundred. 

2  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  23,  p.  24. 


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THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  131 


“CHARLES  COUNTY  is  divided  into  four  Parishes  viz1 
William  &  Mary 
Port  Tobacco 
Nanjemy 

Piscatoway,  the  Bounds  whereof  being  artificial  and 
Somewhat  Long  have  Omitted  to  insert  them  here.’’1 

REPORT  to  the  Assembly ; 

July  30,  1694. 

“Charles  County  has  4  parishes  laid  out,  vizc 

William  and  Mary,  which  has  church  built 
Portobacco,  which  has  church  built 
Nanjemie,  which  has  church  building 
Pescattaway,  which  has  a  church  agreed  for 
All  want  ministers,  Vestry  men  in  every 
Parish.’’2 

THE  COURT  HOUSE  for  Charles  County  stood  (1688)  on 
the  plantation  of  Thomas  Hussey.  '  ‘Ordered  that  the 
Deputy  Surveyor  of  Charles  County  survey  and  lay 
out  the  Lott  or  Acre  of  Land  on  which  the  Court 
House  in  the  said  County  standeth  including  in  the 
said  Acre  said  Court  House,  Prison,  Pillory  and 
Stocks  .  .  .  in  no  wise  prejudiceing  the 

dwelling  or  the  other  houses  of  the  said  Thomas 
Hussey  near  the  said  Court  House  adjacent  .  , 

April  5,  1688. 3 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  18 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  109,  and  Md.  Cal.  of  Wills,  Vo!.  1,  p.  48. 
*  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  8,  p.  26. 


132  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  PARISH  bounds  are  given  in  the 
court  records  of  Charles  County.  Dr.  Allen’s 
No.  13  Ms  described  them  as  follows:  “Bounds  of 
Pickawaxon  Parish.  Beginning  at  the  plan¬ 
tation  of  John  Courtes,  Senior,  and  running  with  a  straight 
line  to  the  plantation  formerly  Samuel  Cresseyes’  Landing — 
the  said  courtes  on  the  north  of  the  said  line  and  the  said 
cresseyes  on  the  southside  of  the  said  line  and  bounding 
with  the  Potomac  River  to  the  mouth  of  Wiccomomico 
River  and  so  up  the  Wiccomomico  to  the  head  of  said 
river  and  with  the  branch  thereof  to  the  said  Courtes’ 
Point.’’1 

“VESTRYMEN  for  William  &  Mary  Parish  chosen,  &ca  viz* 
Co"  John  Courts 
Mr  Robert  Yates 
Mr  William  Hawton 
Mr  Henry  Hardy 
Mr  John  Wielder 
Mr  William  Harbert.’’2 

CHRIST  CHURCH.  The  first  church  was  built  prior  to 
169 1.3 

DR.  ETHAN  ALLEN  states  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moore 
was  rector  of  the  parish  in  1692  and  1693  and  the 
Rev.  George  Tubman  preached  from  1695  to  1700. 4 


1  Charles  County  Land  Records,  Lib.  R.,  p.  459. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  19. 

3  Allen  Ms.,  p.  1  5. 

4  Allen  Ms.,  p.  18. 


Wayside,  Charles  County 


a 


ing  about  the  time  of  the  Establishment. 


134  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


NANJEMY  PARISH  which  is  now  known  as  “Durham 
Parish”  is  bounded  as  follows: — “Beginning 
No.  15  at  Phillip  Hoskin’s  Quarter,  soe  with  a 
straight  line  to  the  head  of  Joseph  Bullett’s 
Mill  Branch  and  down  the  said  Branch  to  Mattawoman 
Creeke  and  so  down  Mattawoman  Creek  to  the  mouth 
thereof,  and  down  the  Potomak  River  to  the  mouth  of 
Nanjemy  Creek  or  Avon  River  and  so  up  the  said  creek  or 
river  to  the  Mill  at  the  head  thereof  and  thence  to  Capt. 
Hoskin’s  Quarter.”1 

“VESTRYMEN  for  Nanjemy  Parish  chosen  &zca  viz1 
Mr  John  Stone 
Mr  Joseph  Manning 
Mr  William  Dent 
Mr  William  Stone 
Mr  Richard  Harrison 
Mr  Gerrard  Fowke.”2 

THE  CHURCH  for  this  Parish  was  being  built  at  the  time 
the  report  was  made  to  the  Assembly.3  Upon  com¬ 
pletion  it  was  called  Durham  Church.  The  second 
church  (now  standing)  was  authorized  to  be  built 
in  1732. 

REV.  JOHN  TURLING,  “Presbyter  Anglicans”,  probably 
first  Rector  of  this  parish.  William  Dent  and  Eliza¬ 
beth  Fowke  were  married  by  him  in  ib84.4  Rev. 
George  Tubman  rector  in  1695. 5  Rev.  George 

Tubman  incumbent  in  1696. 6 


1  Allen  Ms. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  19. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  109. 

4  Charles  County  Court  Records,  Liber  R  No.  I,  Vol.  2. 

6  Allen  Ms.,  p.  1 8. 

6  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  1 18. 


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THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  135 


PISCATTAWAY  PARISH  (alias  St.  John’s.)  Doctor 
Allen  gives  the  bounds  of  this  parish  as  fol- 
No.  16  lows:  “Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Matta- 
woman  Creek  and  running  up  the  said  Creek 
and  Branch  thereof  to  the  utmost  limits  of  the  County 
[Charles]  and  running  North  to  the  line  of  the  Province 
and  then  West  to  the  Potomac  River  and  then  down  the 
said  River  to  the  mouth  of  the  Mattawoman  Creek.’’1 2 

“VESTRYMEN  for  Piscattaway  Parish  chosen  &T*  vizt2 
John  Addison  Esqr 
Mr  William  Hutchinson 
Mr  William  Hatton 
Mr  William  Tanneyhill 
Mr  John  Emmet 
Mr  James  Stoddart’’3 

NO  CHURCH  had  been  built  at  the  time  the  report  was 
made.  The  first  meeting  of  the  vestry  was  held  at 
the  house  of  John  Addison,  Esqr.  At  that  meeting 
it  was  decided  to  buy  78  acres,  part  of  “Lisle  Hall”, 
at  Broad  Creek.  It  was  on  this  land  in  1699  that 
the  parish  church  was  built  and  it  received  the 
name  of  “Broad  Creek  Church.” 

PRINCE  GEORGE  S  PARISH4,  by  Act  of  the  Provincial 
Assembly,  1726,  Chapter  6,  was  erected  out  of 
Piscattaway  Parish,  and  the  chapel  of  Ease  at  Rock 


1  Charles  County  Land  Records,  Liber  R,  p.  460. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  19. 

3  Mr.  John  Smallwood  was  elected  a  memberof  the  vestry  on  January  30th, 
1693  and  upon  his  death  Mr.  James  Stoddart  was  elected  July  29th,  1696  to  fill 
the  vacancy. 

4  Bacon’s  Laws  of  Maryland 


136  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCES  OF  MARYLAND 


Creek,  built  in  1719,  became  the  parish  church  of 
Prince  George’s  parish.  In  1742  the  Assembly  was 
again  petitioned  further  to  divide  the  territory 
originally  covered  by  Piscattaway  Parish,  and  Chap¬ 
ter  18  of  that  Session  erected  “All  Saints  Parish” 
with  the  parish  church  at  Frederick.1 

THE  FIRST  RECTOR  of  Piscattaway  Parish  was  the 
Rev.  George  Tubman  who  began  his  work  August 
4th,  1696.  He  was  also  rector  of  Portobacco,  Wil¬ 
liam  and  Mary  and  Nanjemy  Parishes  at  the  same 
time.  He  died  in  1701. 2 


1  Bacon’s  Laws. 

*Dr.  Ethan  Allen’s  Ms.,  p.  65. 


ALL  SAINTS 

Frederick  City,  Frederick  County 

The  creation  of  All  Saints  Parish  in  1742  was  at  the  expense  of  Prince  George's  Par¬ 
ish.  The  latter  was  itself  taken  from  the  original  territory  of  Old  Piscattoway  Parish, 
which  thus  suffered  its  first  dismemberment.  The  first  All  Saints  Church  was  built 
in  1750;  the  new  church  was  begun  in  1855. 


1/ 


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RECTORY,  BUILT  1791 
St.  Paul's  Parish,  Baltimore 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  137 


BALTIMORE  COUNTY 

Named  for  the  Lord  Baltimore's  Irish  Barony. 

BALTIMORE  COUNTY  (erected  1659)  in  1692  was 
bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Susquehanna 
No.  6  river.  The  Chesapeake  bay  was  one  of  its 
boundaries.  For  its  southern  boundary,  we 
quote  proclamation  of  June  6th,  1674,  “the  southern 
boundary  of  Baltimore  county  shall  be  the  south  side  of 
Potapsco  River,  and  from  the  highest  plantation  on  that 
side  of  the  river  due  south  two  miles  into  the  woods.’’1 

This  “two  miles  into  the  woods”  means  that  a  two 
mile  strip  of  country  on  the  south  side  of  the  Patapsco 
river  was  taken  from  Anne  Arundel  county  by  this  “proc¬ 
lamation”  for  we  find  in  the  “Upper  House  Journal” 
under  date  of  April  23,  1684  “A  Petition  of  the  Inhabi¬ 
tants  scituate  upon  the  southside  of  Patapsco  River  and 
others  holding  land  there  desireing  to  bee  restored  into  the 
County  of  Ann  Arundell  from  whence  at  first  they  were 
taken  into  Baltimore  County  by  reason  of  their  greate  dis¬ 
tance  from  and  incommodious  wayes  of  goeing  to  the 
County  Court  of  Baltimore  &  Ca.  Read  and  rejected, — 
This  House  Considering  that  Baltimore  County  being 
already  very  small  and  for  other  motives  the  same  re- 
maine  as  now  it  is.”2 

The  present  southern  boundary  of  Baltimore  county 
was  made  by  Act  of  Assembly  1722,  Chap.  3,  and  the 
former  lines  recited  in  the  Act  prove  that  the  division  line 
between  the  two  counties,  Baltimore  and  Anne  Arundel, 
began  upon  the  shore  of  the  Chesapeake  bay  about  a  mile 
and  a  quarter  south  of  Bodkin  Point  and  paralleled  the 

1  Scharfs  Hist,  of  Baltimore  County,  p.  41. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  13,  p.  41. 


138  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


course  of  the  Patapsco  at  a  distance  of  about  two  miles, 
running  northwest  along  the  ridge  between  the  Magothy 
and  the  Patapsco  rivers. 

The  western  boundary1  of  the  county  was  the  line 
that  bounded  Piscattaway  parish  (Charles  county)  on  the 
east — this  line  ran  north  from  the  head  of  Mattawoman 
creek  to  the  boundary  line  of  the  Province. 

THE  FIRST  COURT  HOUSE  of  Baltimore  county  was 
built  on  Bush  river,  now  Harford  county,  and  it 
is  generally  supposed  it  was  there  that  the  Court 
met  until  1712  when  by  Act  of  Assembly  the  Court 
House  was  built  in  Joppa,  also  now  in  Harford 
county.  In  1768  the  Court  House  was  abandoned 
and  the  county  seat  removed  to  Baltimore  city.2 

“BALI’ I  MORE  COUNTY  is  divided  into  Five  Hundreds, 
viz1 

Speceutia  Hundred 

Gun  Powder  River 

South  Side  Gun  Powder 

North  Side  Patapsco 

South  Side  Patapsco  “  3 

REPORT  to  the  Assembly, 

June  30,  1694.  “What  Parishes  laid  out  un¬ 
known."  “The  division  of  the  Parishes  and  Bounds 
thereof  have  not  as  yet  been  Returned  by  the  Clerk 
of  the  said  County  but  do  find  by  the  Returns 
of  the  Severall  Vestrymen  that  the  said  County  is 
divided  into  three  Parishes,  viz1 
Patapsco  [St.  Paul's]  Parish 
S1  John’s 

S1  Georges  “  4 

1  Note  Baltimore  County's  western  boundary. 

2  Scharfs  Hist,  of  Baltimore  County,  p.  43. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  24. 

4  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  20. 


VESTRY  HOUSE,  BUILT  1766 
St.  George's  Parish,  Perryman,  Harford  County 
One  of  two  such  buildings  erected  in  that  year;  the  other  one  is  at  St.  Paul's  Church,  Kent  County. 


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THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  139 


In  accordance  with  the  directions  of  this  Act  of  the  As¬ 
sembly,  (1692,  Ch.  2)  the  Justices  of  Baltimore 
County  at  a  Court  held  Nov.  1692  made  the  follow¬ 
ing  order: — "That  one  Parish  be  in  Speceutia Hund¬ 
red,  and  another  in  Gunpowder  River  (that  is  to 
say)  from  Gunpowder  River  to  the  head  of  Middle 
River  And  [another]  from  Middle  River  as  far  as 
the  County  goes  or  extends."1 

June  27,  1702. 

"According  to  his  Excellency  the  Governour’s  order  and 
summons  appeared  the  Vestry  of  St.  Paul’s  Parish 
on  Patapsco  River  in  Baltimore  County  and  it  being 
required  of  them  to  produce  their  Accounts  how  the 
40  lb.  p  poll  raised  in  that  Parish  has  been  disposed 
of  Mr  Richard  Cromwell  alledges  for  that  the  Sheriff 
of  the  County  Lieut.  Col1  Maxwell  is  now  very  sick 
but  says  that  the  Vestry  have  about  20000  pounds 
of  Tob°  wherewith  they  desire  to  build  a  Chappel 
of  Ease  for  the  Parishioners  on  the  South  side  of 
Patapsco  River  but  that  being  contrary  to  Law. 

Ordered  by  his  Excellcy  the  Governour  & 
Council  that  the  said  Vestry  do  apply  what 
Tob°  they  have  in  their  Hands  belonging  to 
the  Parish  in  building  a  pretty  convenient 
House  and  purchasing  a  Glebe  for  the  Min¬ 
ister  &  his  successors."2 


1  Baltimore  County  Court  Records,  Vol.  F,  p.  338. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  24,  p.  289. 


140  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“PATAPSCO  (or  St.  Paul’s)  PARISH.  The  bounds  ot 
this  parish  were  as  follows: — On  the  east  by 
No.  1 7  Middle  river,  on  the  south  by  the  Chesapeake 
bay,  on  the  west  by  the  county  of  Anne 
Arundel  and  the  eastern  boundry  line  of  Piscattaway 
parish,1  one  of  the  parishes  of  Charles  County.  It  was 
bounded  on  the  north  by  the  boundry  line  of  the  province. 

“THE  VESTRY,  September  1693,  was  as  follows: — 
George  Ashman  Richard  Sampson 

John  Ferry  Richard  Cromwell 

Nicholas  Corban  Francis  Walkings 

John  Gay,  Clerk  to  the  Vestry’’2 

THE  FIRST  CHURCH  built,  1702,  in  this  parish  stood 
at  the  head  of  “Cloppers,”  now  Colgate  creek. 
“We  the  Vestrie  men  for  Patapsco  Hundred  met  to¬ 
gether  at  the  house  of  Major  John  Thomas  [re¬ 
solved]  that  at  Pettites  Old  Field  was  the  most 
convenient  place  for  to  erect  a  Church.’’3 

The  present  parish  church  stands  on  the  corner 
of  Charles  and  Saratoga  Streets  in  the  City  of  Bal¬ 
timore.  The  first  church  built  on  this  site  was 
erected  in  1730. 

THE  REV.  EDWARD  TOPP,  JR.  was  the  incumbent  of 
this  parish  in  1696. 4  According  to  the  Allen  Manu¬ 
script  the  first  rector  of  the  parish  was  the  Rev. 
Edward  Topp,  Jr.  He  served  from  1698  to  1702. 
ST.  THOMAS’  PARISH  was  the  first  subdivision  of 
St.  Paul’s  Parish.  It  was  erected  by  authority  of  an 
Act  of  the  Provincial  Assembly  in  1 742,  Chapter  1  5. 5 

1  See  bounds  of  Piscattaway  Parish,  Charles  County. 

2  Court  Records,  Baltimore  County,  Liber  G,  No.  1,  p.  126. 

3  Court  Records,  Baltimore  County,  Liber  G,  No.  1,  p.  126. 

4  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Maryland  Hist.  Mag.,  Vol.  1  2,  p.  119. 

6  Bacon's  Laws  of  Maryland. 


ST.  PAUL,  BUILT  1856 
St.  Paul's  Parish,  Baltimore  City 

This  is  the  fifth  parish  church  to  have  been  built  in  St.  Paul  s  Parish  and  the  fourth  on  this  spot.  The  first  church 
stood  on  "Cloppers,"  now  Colgate  Creek. 


ST.  JOHN,  BUILT  1815 
Kingsville,  Baltimore  County 

Old  Parish  Church  of  Copley  or  St.  John's  Parish.  The  first  church  of  this  parish  was  built  at  Joppa,  once  county 
seat  of  Baltimore  County. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  141 


ST.  JOHN’S  PARISH  (“alias  Copley  Parish”),  Dr.  Allen 
says,  contained  the  two  hundreds  of  Gun- 
No.  18  powder  and  Southern  Gunpowder,  bounded, 
according  to  the  best  records  obtainable,  by 
the  Bush  river  on  the  east,  the  Chesapeake  bay  on  the 
South,  Middle  river  on  the  west  and  the  northern  line  of 
the  Province  on  the  north. 

Dr.  Allen’s  Ms.  gives  the  following  as  vestrymen  in 
June  1693. 

Mr  Thomas  Haley 
Mr  Thomas  Hodge 
Mr  Richard  Adams 
Mr  Moses  Groome 
Cap1  Thomas  Preston 
Mr  Lawrence  Richardson. 

“VESTRYMEN  chosen  as  by  Return,  viz1 
Mr  Thomas  Staley 
Cap1  Thomas  Preston 
Mr  Richard  Adams 
Mr  Samuel  Siclemore 
Mr  Daniel  Scott 
Mr  Abram  Tayler.’’1 

“THE  CHURCH  to  be  on  Elk  Neck  on  Gunpowder 
River.’’2  St.  Johns  Church  was  built  later  at  the 
former  county  seat  of  Baltimore  county,  Joppa,  but 
the  present  parish  church  is  at  Kingsville, built  in  1 8 1 7. 

IT  IS  KNOWN  THAT  the  famous  Rev.  John  Yeo, 
who  died  in  1686,  lived  in  the  territory  which  was 
included  in  1692  in  the  parish  bounds.  The  earliest 
record  of  a  minister  after  the  Establishment  is  that 
of  the  Rev.  John  Edwards,  1710. 

ST.  JAMES  PARISH  was  erected  in  1770,  the  chapel  of  ease 
of  St.  John’s  Parish  becoming  the  parish  church. 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  20. 

2  Dr.  Allen’s  Ms. 


142  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


ST.  GEORGE'S  PARISH  was  bounded  on  the  east  and 
south  by  the  Susquehanna  river  and  Chesa- 
No.  19  peake  bay.  The  Bush  river  and  its  head¬ 
waters  served  as  the  western  bounds.  The 

northern  line  of  the  Province  was  its  northern  limits. 

“VESTRYMEN  as  by  Return,  vizc 
Mr  William  Hollace  [Wallace?] 

Mr  Laurence  Tayler 
Mr  John  Parker 
Mr  George  Smith 
Mr  Roger  Mathews 
Mr  Thomas  Cordey.”1 

THE  FIRST  CHURCH  in  this  part  of  the  Province  was 
called  “Spesutia  Church"  built  in  1671. 2  This 
present  church  is  now  called  St.  George’s  and  is  near 
the  village  of  Perryman,  Harford  county. 

THE  REV.  JEREMIAH  EATON  was  the  first  Protestant 
minister  in  Baltimore  county  (west  of  the  Chesapeake 
bay)  and  he  owned  land  (1675)  near  Bush  river.  In 
1683  the  Rev.  John  Yeo  preached  in  that  part  of 
Baltimore  county  afterwards  laid  out  into  St. 
George’s  Parish.  He  settled  at  New  Castle,  Dela¬ 
ware,  June  4,  1678,  and  was  the  first  Episcopal 
minister  in  that  State.  Rev.  Thomas  Dawes  “min- 
of  this  parish,  1695  ;3  Rev.  Jno.  Edwards  rector 
1 702—1 7 1 1  ;4  Rev.  Evan  Evans  from  1718  to  1722. 5 


1  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  23.  p.  20. 

2  Allen  Ms.,  p.  1 8. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  274. 

4  Allen  Ms.,  pp.  19-20. 

6  Allen  Ms.,  p.  71 


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ST.  GEORGE,  BUILT  1851 
Perryman,  Harford  County 


CHRIST 

Easton,  Talbot  County 

The  Parish  Church  of  St.  Peter's  Parish,  of  which  the  corner  stone  was  laid  May  2 1 ,  1840. 


. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  143 


TALBOT  COUNTY 

Named  for  Grace  Talbot,  daughter  of  George 
Calvert,  first  Lord  Baltimore. 

TALBOT  COUNTY  (erected  1662)  in  1692  extended  from 
the  head  of  Chester  river  down  to  the  Chop- 
No.  7  tank  river.  The  western  bounds  were  the 
Chester  river,  the  “Narrows,"  Eastern  bay 
and  the  Chesapeake. 

While  the  eastern  boundaries  were  identical  with 
those  of  the  Province  there  were  very  few  colonists  who 
lived  far  from  the  water  courses,  hence  the  eastern  limits 
were  not  sharply  defined. 

“TALBOT  COUNTY  is  divided  into  nine  Hundreds,  viz* 
Tredhaven  Hundred 

Bullinbroake 
Mill 

Tuckohoe 

Worrell 

Bay 

Island 

Chester 

Lower  of  Kent  Island.  “  1,1 

“TALBOT  COUNTY  is  divided  into  three  Parishes,  viz' 
S'  Paul’s  Parish 
S'  Peter's 

Sc  Michael’s  “  ” 1  2 


1  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  23,  p.  24. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 


144  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


REPORT  to  the  Assembly 

June  30,  1694.  "They  can  Give  noe  certain 
Returne  as  yet  for  Talbot  County."1 

At  a  court  held  at  Yorke,  June  20th,  1693, 
there  were  appointed  by  the  court  the  vestrymen 
for  the  three  parishes  of  the  County.2 

THE  FIRST  COURT  HOUSE  was  on  Skipton  creek,  a 
branch  of  the  Wye  river,  at  "Hopton.”3 

.  .  at  the  time  of  laying  out  the  parishes,  in 

1693,  the  Court  House  was  on  a  branch  of  Wye 
river  where  is  the  dwelling  plantation  of  Mr.  Wm. 
Hemsley  Junr  which  by  many  is  still  called  the 
old  Court  House."4 * 

"In  1680  a  Court  House  was  built  upon  land  pur¬ 
chased  of  Jonathan  Hopkin  which  was  located  on  Skipton 
creek  near  the  headwaters  of  the  Wye  river.  In  this  build¬ 
ing  court  was  held  for  the  first  time  in  1682  or  1683.  Later 
a  'prison'  was  built.  Around  these  two  buildings  there 
grew  up  quite  a  village  which  was  called,  by  Act  of  As¬ 
sembly  of  1686,  "Yorke”  evidently  in  honor  of  the  ancient 
town  in  England  of  the  same  name."6 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  111. 

2  Ms.  of  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Harrison. 

3  Hist,  of  Talbot  County.  Col.  Oswald  Tilghman, 

4  Ms.  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Harrison. 

s  Maryland's  Colonial  Eastern  Shore,  p.  26. 


5 

23 


time  it  became  the  parish  church  of  Wye  Parish. 


Centerville,  Queen  Anne's  County 


The  first  church  of  St.  Paul's  Parish  was  of  wood  construction  and  stood  about  a 
mile  southwest  of  where  Centerville  is,  at  a  place  called  “Hibernia."  In  1698  this 
building  was  replaced  by  a  brick  structure  and  called  “Chester"  church.  In  1765 
Chester  Church  was  in  such  bad  condition  that  the  vestry  decided  to  rebuild  it  follow¬ 
ing  the  plans  of  St.  Paul's  Church  in  Philadelphia  This  later  building  was  torn 
down  and  some  of  the  bricks,  for  sentimental  reasons,  were  used  in  making  the  walls  of 
the  present  parish  church. 


ST.  PAUL,  BUILT  1834 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  145 


“ST  PAUL'S  PARISH  begins  at  the  head  of  Chester  River 
&  Extends  to  the  Court  House1  and  from  the 

No.  20  Court  House  along  the  north  side  of  Brewers’ 
Branch  [now  Skipton  creek]  to  the  Head  of 

sd  branch  and  from  thence  to  Judwin’s  branch  being  the 

North  part  of  Tuccohoe  Hundred.”2 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  Sd  Parish  chosen  &  Ca  viz1 
Mr  William  Finney 
Mr  William  Coursey 
Mr  John  Whittington 
Mr  Nathanial  Wright 
Mr  Robert  Macklin 
Mr  John  Chairs.”3 

THE  CHURCH  for  this  parish  was  old  Chester  Church 
built  near  the  present  town  of  Centerville.  It  was 
torn  down  in  1834  and  rebuilt  in  that  town.  In 
1717  the  vestry  began  the  Chapel  of  Ease,  now 
Wye  Church,  which  is  in  excellent  repair  and  stands 
almost  hidden  from  view  amongst  some  of  the  largest 
oaks  to  be  seen  anywhere  on  the  Eastern  Shore. 
This  became  the  parish  church,  in  1860,  of  Wye 
Parish  formed  at  that  time. 

THE  REV.  JOHN  LILLINGSTON  was  minister  from 
1691  to  1709  when  he  died.  He  had  held  services 
in  Talbot  county  as  early  as  1681. 4 

ONE  SET  OF  BOOKS  to  Mr.  Lillingston  sent  by  the 
Bishop  of  London  1 694.  ”5 

ST.  LUKE  S  PARISH  was  taken  from  this  parish  by  Act 
of  Assembly  1728,  Chapter  19. 6 

1  On  “Hopton"  surveyed  for  Jonathan  Hopkins.  June,  1668. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 

s  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21 . 

4  Ms.  of  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Harrison. 

5  Arch.  Md.  Vol.  20,  d.  212. 

6  Bacon's  Laws  of  Maryland 


146  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“ST.  PETER'S  PARISH  begins  at  John  Judwins  Branch 
and  extends  to  Oxford  Town.’’1 

No.  21  “In  1714  the  county  surveyor  of  Talbot 

County  was  authorized  to  day  off’  the  line  of 
this  parish  and  in  his  report  to  the  Justices  of  the  County 
says,  ‘St.  Peter’s  Parish  to  contain  Third  Haven-Hundred, 
Bolingbroke  Hundred  and  part  of  Tuckahoe  Hundred 
bounding  on  the  north  by  a  line  drawn  from  the  head  of 
Brewers’  Branch,  [now  Skipton  Creek],  north  75  degrees 
east  to  the  head  of  Judwin’s  Branch.’’2 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  Chosen,  &ca  viz1 
Mr  Thomas  Robins 
Mr  Thomas  Bowdle 
Mr  George  Robins 
Mr  Nicholas  Lowe 
Mr  Samuel  Abbet  Sr 
Mr  Thomas  Martin.”3 

WHITEMARSH  CHURCH,  the  ruins  of  which  are  to  be 
seen  near  the  little  settlement  of  “Hambleton,”  is 
supposed  to  have  been  built  about  1666.  It  became 
the  parish  church  in  1692.  These  ruins  are  now  in 
Whitemarsh  Parish.  The  parish  church  of  St. 
Peter’s  Parish  is  now  (1923)  in  Easton. 

THE  REV.  MR.  LILLINGSTON  was  minister  before 
1691.  It  is  supposed  that  the  Rev.  Joseph  Leich 
became  the  rector  of  St.  Peter’s  Parish  in  1692. 
Court  records  show  that  he  baptized  children  in 
that  section  of  the  county  as  early  as  1689. 4 
There  was  a  church  erected  at  Oxford  in  1695. 5 
Rev.  James  Clayland  preached  in  1694,  1695  and 
1696. 6 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 

2  Col.  Oswald  Tilghman  in  Easton  ‘'Gazette, "  January  7,  1914. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 

4  Ms.  of  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Harrison. 

6  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  215. 

6  Allen  Ms.,  pp.  18-19. 


CHRIST 

St.  Michael's,  Talbot  County 


, 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  147 


“ST.  MICHAEL'S  PARISH  consists  of  Mill  &  Bay  Hun¬ 
dreds  and  part  of  Island  Hundred  that  is  to 
No.  22  say  from  the  Court  House1  Downward.’’2 

This  parish  was  bounded  on  the  east  by 
the  main  road  that  now  leads  from  Wye  Mills  to  Easton 
and  by  the  Tred  Avon  river.  On  the  south  by  the  Choptank 
river.  Both  the  Chesapeake  and  the  Eastern  bays  bounded 
it  on  the  west.  The  Wye  river  and  Skipton  creek,  formerly 
known  as  Brewer’s  Branch,  were  its  northern  bounds. 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  chosen,  &ca  viz1 
Cap1  John  Davis 

Cap1  James  Murphy  [of  Rich  Neck] 

Mr  Thomas  Smithson 
Mr  Michaell  Turbut 
Mr  Hugh  Sherwood 
Mr  John  Power.”3 

CHRIST  CHURCH  is  the  present  representative  of  the 
original  church  of  this  old  parish  and  stands  in  the 
town  of  St.  Michael’s. 

THE  REV.  JAMES  CLAYLAND,  as  minister,  received 
in  1672  from  Mr.  Andrew  Skinner  a  gift  of  50  acres 
of  land  part  of  a  grant  called  “Forked  Neck”  in 
Miles  River  Neck  to  be  used  as  a  Glebe  “forever 
hereafter  to  be  holden  .  .  .  and  belonging  to  ye 

aforesaid  Church  of  Christ  there  congregated.’’4  He 
became  rector  of  St.  Michael’s  Parish,  1692.  In  1696 
he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Rich’d  Marsden  who 
served  until  1707.  The  Rev.  Henry  Nicols  was 
rector  in  1 7 09  ;5  Rev.  John  Leach  incumbent  1696.6 

1  See  St.  Paul’s  Parish  (Talbot). 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  22. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  22. 

4  Ms.  of  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Harrison. 

5  Allen  Ms.,  p.  1 8. 

6  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  1 19. 


148  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


SOMERSET  COUNTY 

Named  after  Mary  Somerset,  sister  of  Lord  Baltimore. 

SOMERSET  COUNTY  was  erected  by  proclamation  on 
the  22nd  of  August  1666.  The  territory  lying 

No.  8  south  of  the  Choptank  River  and  extending 
to  Watkin’s  Point  and  the  line  drawn  from 
thence  to  the  “Maine  Ocean”  was  settled  for  the  most 
part  by  people  from  the  county  to  the  south  of  it — the 
Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia. 

On  February  4th,  1662,  John  Elzey,  Randall  Revell 
and  Stephen  Horsey  were  commissioned  Justices  for  the 
territory.  They  held  their  offices  until  the  20th  of  the  fol¬ 
lowing  February  at  which  time  they  were  reappointed, 
with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Revell.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Capt.  William  Thorne.  August  15th  1663  Capt.  John 
Odber  was  added  to  the  Justices  whose  names  appear 
above.1  They  were  described  as  “Commissioners  for  that 
part  of  the  Province  newly  seated  called  the  Eastern  Shore.” 
Commissions  were  issued  on  the  28th  of  August  1665  to 
Mr.  Stepen  Horsey  and  Capt.  William  Thorne  to  continue 
Justices  on  the  “Eastern  Shore”2  with  the  following  six 
new  appointees: — George  Johnson,  William  Stephens,  John 
White,  John  Winder,  James  Jones,  and  Henry  Boston, 
Gent.  Capt.  William  Thorne  was  commissioned  to  com¬ 
mand  all  the  forces  on  the  “Eastern  Shore  of  the  Province.” 

Upon  the  erection  of  Somerset  county,  August  22nd, 
1666,  the  Justices  who  had  been  appointed  the  previous 
year  for  the  “Eastern  Shore,”  were  reappointed.  Mr. 
Stephen  Horsey  was  made  Sheriff  of  the  new  county. 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  3,  p.  488. 

2  Notice  the  fact  of  “Eastern  Shore"  being  the  name  of  the  section  south 
of  the  Choptank  prior  to  1666,  at  which  time  it  became  the  County  of  Somerset. 


ST.  ANDREW,  BUILT  1771 
Princess  Anne,  Somerset  County 

First  built  as  a  Chapel  of  Ease  for  Somerset  Parish.  Now  the  parish  church  of  that 
Parish. 


ST.  MARTIN,  BUILT  ABOUT  1756 


■ 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  149 


“SOMERSET  COUNTY  was  divided  into  Eight  Hun¬ 
dreds,  vizc 

Poquede  Norton  Hundred 

Mattapany 

Manny 

Pocomoke 

Annamessix 

Mona  kin 

Wiccocomoco 

Nantecoke  “  1 

“SOMERSET  COUNTY  is  divided  into  four  Parishes,  viz1 
Somerset  Parish 
Coventrey 
Stepney 

Snow  hill  “  "  2 

REPORT  to  the  Assembly 
July  30  1694. 

“Somerset  county  has  4  Parishes  laid  out  but  never 
a  Church.”3 

THE  FIRST  COURT  HOUSE  of  Somerset  County  was 
built  in  1671  at  Back  Creek  on  a  part  of  the  now 
well  known  “Westover”  farm.4  Prior  to  this  date, 
as  was  the  custom  in  the  other  counties  of  the  Prov¬ 
ince,  court  was  doubtless  held  at  the  home  of  some 
one  of  the  Justices.  In  1694  a  court  house  was 
built  near  Dividing  Creek.  “Upon  the  division  of 
the  County  and  the  erection  of  part  of  it  into  Wor¬ 
cester  County,  the  Court  House  was  built  at  Princess 
Anne.  The  present  building  is  the  third  one  to  have 
been  built  on  that  spot.”5 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  24. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  22. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  110. 

4  H.  Fillmore  Lankford. 

5  Hon.  Joshua  W.  Miles 


150  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“SOMERSET  PARISH  consists  of  Manokin  and  Manny 
hundreds.”1  The  parish  extended  from  the 
No.  23  Wicomico  river  to  the  Manokin  river. 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  as  by  Return,  vizc 
Mr  John  Huett 
Mr  Richard  Chambers 
Mr  John  Panter 
Mr  Nathaniel  Horsey 
Mr  Miles  Grey 
Mr  Peter  Elzey.”2 

NO  CHURCH  had  been  built  but  provision  was  made  for 
its  erection  shortly  after  the  choosing  of  the  Vestry¬ 
men  (1692).  Dr.  Ethan  Allen  states  in  his  manuscript 
history  of  the  various  parishes  that  “All  Saints  Church 
was  there  before  1691.”  He  also  states  that  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Huett  was  preaching  there.  This  church 
is  doubtless  the  one  now  known  as  “Old  Monie” 
and  stands  just  West  of  Princess  Anne,  the  county 
seat  of  Somerset  County. 

THE  REV.  GEORGE  TROTTER  was  incumbent  of  this 
parish  in  1696.3  The  Rev.  Alexander  Adams  served 
as  rector  of  the  parish  for  65  years — from  1704  until 
his  death  in  1769. 4 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  22 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol  23,  p.  22. 

2  B.  C.  Steiner,  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  119. 

4  Allen  Ms. 


ALL  SAINTS 

Somerset  Parish,  Monii,  Somerset  County 

The  first  church  in  this  parish  was  built  prior  to  the  Establishment.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Chase  was  rector  of  this  parish 
at  the  time,  April  17,  1741.  that  his  son,  Samuel  Chase,  was  born.  Samuel  Chase  became  distinguished  as  a  lawyer  and 
in  179b  was  nominated  by  President  Washington  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 


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I'hou  art  crumbling  to  the  dust,  old  pile;  thou  art  hastening  to  thy  fall; 

And  round  thee,  in  thy  loneliness,  clings  the  ivy  to  the  wall 

The  worshippers  are  scattered  now  who  knelt  before  thy  shrine 

And  silence  reigns  where  anthems  rose  in  the  davs  of  'Auld  Lang  Syne.  '' 

Lines  written  in  old  Blandford  Church ,  Virginia. 


_ 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  151 


“COVENTRY  PARISH  consists  of  Pocomoke  and  Anna- 
messix  hundreds.’’1  This  parish  extended 
No.  24  from  the  Manokin  river  to  the  Pocomoke 
river. 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  as  by  Return,  viz1 
Mr  Francis  Jenckins 
Mr  George  Layfield 
Mr  Thomas  Nuball 
Mr  William  Planer  Sr 
Mr  Thomas  Dixon 
Mr  William  Coleburn.”2 

IN  THE  OLD  CHURCH  at  Rehoboth,  Maryland,  the 
vestry  met  in  1692,  when  they  held  their  first 
meeting  under  the  Act  of  Establishment.  The  ruins 
of  the  second  church  are  to  be  seen  today  not  far 
from  Pocomoke  City. 

THE  REV.  JAMES  BRECHIN  was  rector  1696-1698. 
He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Keith  in 
1707.3 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  22. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  22. 

3  Allen  Ms.,  p.  18. 


152  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


“STEPNEY  PARISH  consists  of  Wiccocomoco  &  Nante- 
coke  Hundreds.”1  The  old  parish  was 
No.  25  bounded  on  the  north  and  west  by  the  Nan- 
ticoke  river  and  on  the  south  and  east  by  the 

Wicomoco  river. 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  as  by  Return,  viz1 
Mr  James  Weatherley 
Mr  John  Bounds 
Mr  Philip  Carter 
Mr  Robert  Collyer 
Mr  Thomas  Holebrooke 
Mr  Philip  Askue.”2 

STEPNEY  CHURCH  commonly  called  “Green  Hill 
Church,”  to  which  yearly  pilgrimages  are  now  made, 
was  a  place  of  worship  for  the  settlers  of  the  upper 
part  of  Somerset  County.  The  present  building 
erected  1733  has  this  date  set  in  the  brick  of  the 
east  end.  Spring  Hill  (Goddard’s  Chapel)  or  Quan- 
tico  Church  was  first  built  (1711)  as  a  Chapel  of 
Ease  for  this  Parish.3  The  present  church  was 
erected  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War. 

THE  REV.  MR.  HUETT  was  the  officiating  clergyman  in 
1695.  The  records  of  Somerset  county  show  marriages 
performed  by  him  in  October  1682.  He  died  1697. 4 
In  1696  Rev.  George  Trotter  was  incumbent  of 
Stepney  Parish.5 


1  Arch.  Md„  Vol.  23,  p.  23. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  vol.  23,  p.  23. 

3  Somerset  County  Records  I,  K,  L,  1 12. 

4  Allen  Ms.,  p.  1 8. 

6  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  1 19. 


STEPNEY,  BUILT  1733 
Green  Hill,  Wicomico  County 
(Stepney  Parish,  Somerset  County,  in  1692.) 


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ALL  HALLOWS,  BUILT  1756 
Snow  Hill,  Worcester  County 

This  church  replaced  a  wooden  church  which  had  served  as  the  parish  church.  It  stood  near  the  banks  of  the  Pocomoke 
River. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  153 


“SNOW  HILL  PARISH  consists  of  Bogettenorten  & 
Mattapany  Hundreds."1  Also  known  as  All 
No.  26  Hallows  Parish.  This  old  parish  extended 
east  from  the  Pocomoke  river  to  the  Atlantic 
ocean  and  from  the  Virginia  line  to  far  within  the  present 
lines  of  the  State  of  Delaware. 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  as  by  Return,  viz' 

Mr  Matt:  Scarborough 
Mr  William  Round 
Mr  John  Francklin 
Mr  Thomas  Pointer 
Mr  Thomas  Selbey 
Mr  Edward  Hammond.”2 

ALL  HALLOWS  CHURCH  is  the  parish  Church  and  the 
present  building  stands  in  Snow  Hill. 

THE  REV.  JAMES  BRECHIN  was  incumbent  1696.3 
The  Rev.  Robert  Keith  preached  at  All  Hallows  in 
1703. 4 

WORCESTER  PARISH  was  erected  out  of  the  parish5,  by 
Act  of  Assembly  1744,  Chapter  24.  St.  Martin  is 
the  name  of  parish  Church. 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23.  p.  23. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  23. 

3  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  1 19. 

4  Allen  Ms.,  p.  18. 

6  Bacon’s  Laws  of  Maryland. 


154  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


DORCHESTER  COUNTY 

Named  for  the  Earl  of  Dorset. 

DORCHESTER  COUNTY  was  erected  in  1669.  That 
part  of  the  original  territory  called  the  “East- 
No.  9  ern  Shore,  “  including  the  county  of  Somerset, 
that  lay  between  the  Choptank  river  on  the 
north  and  the  Nanticoke  river  on  the  south  and  east  was 
the  extent  of  the  county  of  Dorchester.  Its  north-eastern 
limits  were  identical  with  those  of  the  Province. 

“DORCHESTER  COUNTY  is  divided  into  five  Hundreds, 
viz' 

Hermitage  Hundred 

Great  Choptanck 
Fishing  Creek 
Nantecoke 

Little  Choptanck  “  “x 

“AND  THAT  WHERE  THE  COURT  HOUSES  within 
any  of  the  Counties  of  province  are  placed  conven¬ 
ient  where  Churches  may  stand  or  be  Erected,  that  in 
such  case  the  said  Court  Houses  be  made  use  off  for 
Churches  to  perform  Divine  Duty  and  Service  in; 
especially  Dorchester  County  Court  house  in  the 
parish  of  Great  Choptanck,  so  that  instead  of  Build¬ 
ing  a  Church  at  Cambridge,  the  vestrey  may  build 
a  Chappell  of  Ease  in  some  other  convenient  place.”1 2 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  24. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  283. 


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THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  155 


“DORCHESTER  COUNTY  is  divided  into  two  Parishes, 
viz*  Great  Choptanck  and  Dorchester  Parish.” 

“The  Bounds  whereof  being  Artificiall  and  some 
what  long  I  have  not  here  inserted.  But  are 
Entered  among  the  Councill  proceedings  had  and 
taken  in  Sr  Edmd  Andros’s  time  being  then  Re¬ 
turned  but  no  Acco’t  of  the  Vestrymen  was 
therein.”1 

REPORT  to  the  Assembly 

“July  30,  1694.  They  can  Give  noe  certain  Re- 
turne  as  yet  for  the  County  of  Dorchester.”2 

“Wee  the  said  Justices  and  Freeholders  .  .  .  did 

agree  and  consent  unto  that  the  said  County  of  Dorchester 
should  be  Divided  into  two  several  Districts  and  Parishes 
by  a  Divisionale  Line  drawne  from  the  Mouth  of  Little 
Choptank  River  binding  therewith  to  the  head  of  the  said 
River  from  thence  with  a  straight  Line  drawne  to  the 
head  of  the  North  branch  of  Black  Water  River  to  a 
plantation  now  in  the  Tenure  or  occupation  of  Benjamin 
Hunt  of  this  County  thence  runing  downe  the  said  river 
on  its  severall  Courses  to  the  Mouth  of  the  same.  The 
Eastermost  of  which  Parishes  is  named  and  called  by  the 
Name  of  Great  Choptanck  Parish,  the  other  Parish  is  called 
and  knowne  by  the  name  of  Dorchester  Parish  .  . 

June  10th  1693. 

Hu.  Eccleston,  Cl.  Com. 

Dorchester.”3 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  22. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  Ill. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  67. 


156  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


GREAT  CHOPTANK  PARISH  was  on  the  northern  side 
of  the  county  and  included  most  of  the  pres- 
No.  27  ent  county  of  Dorchester.  The  parish  was 
divided  from  Dorchester  parish  on  the  south 
by  a  line  “Begining  at  the  mouth  of  the  little  Choptanck 
binding  therewith  to  the  head  of  sd  River, — from  thence 
with  a  straight  line  to  the  north  Branch  of  Blackwater 
River  to  Benj.  Hunt’s  Plantation,  thence  down  said  river 
to  the  mouth  of  the  same.”1 

“VESTRYMEN:  yet  do  find  by  a  Return  of  the  Vestry 
of  Great  Choptanck  Parish  the  sd  Return  being 
Subscribed  thus,  vizc 
Mr  Phil  V.  Pitt 
Mr  Obadiah  King 
Mr  Edward  Stephens 
Mr  John  Person 
Mr  John  Lecompt.”2 

“ALSO  it  being  represented  by  the  Burgesses  of  Dorchester 
County  that  the  Court  house  at  Cambridge  Stands 
convenient  for  a  Church  in  the  Parish  it  is  built  in; 
Ordered  it  be  Used  for  that  End  also.”3 

“The  petition  of  Philip  Pitt  and  others  vestrymen  of  the 
parish  of  Great  Choptanck  in  Dorchester  County 
read  and  thereupon  the  the  House  are  of  the  opinion 
that  the  sd  Vestry  proceed  to  build  their  church  as 
to  them  shall  seem  convenient.”4 

THE  REV.  THOMAS  HOWELL  was  the  first  Minister, 
1696-1728  of  Great  Choptank  Parish.5 

ST.  MARY’S  WHITE  CHAPEL  PARISH  was  erected  from 
this  parish  by  Act  of  the  Assembly  1725,  Chapter  6. 6 

1  Arch.  Md.,  Assembly  Proceedings  1693. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  22. 

3  Arch.  Md.,  Vol  19,  p.  234,  and  various  authorities. 

4  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  19,  p.  359. 

6  Allen  Ms. 

6  Bacon's  Laws  of  Maryland. 


CHRIST 


Cambridge,  Dorchester  County 

The;  first  services  of  the  Church  after  the  Establishment 
■  reat  Choptankj  in  the  Court  House  at  Cambridge. 


were  held  in  this  parish 


gigm* 


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wim 

itefe 


P-sStsEi 


c^n 


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_  QJ 


C  ^ 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  157 


DORCHESTER  PARISH  occupied  all  of  the  territory 
south  of  the  Little  Choptank  and  the  line  that 
No.  28  connected  it  with  the  Black  Water  river. 

Some  later  writers  contend  that  the  waters  of 

Fishing  Creek  are  really  the  headwaters  of  the  Little 

Choptank. 

“VESTRYMEN  for  Dorchester  parish  as  by  Return, 
viz1 

Mr  Arthur  Witley 

Mr  William  Robison 

Mr  John  Button 

Mr  Thomas  Vickers 

Mr  James  Moadsly 

Mr  William  Shinton.  [Shenton]’’1 

THE  OLD  CHURCH  of  Dorchester  Parish  which  is  still 
standing  is  said  to  have  been  built  prior  to  the 
“Establishment.”  It  is  known  as  Trinity  Church, 
first  receiving  this  name  April  17,  1853  when  con¬ 
secrated  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Henry  J.  Whitehouse, 
then  Bishop  of  Illinois,  and  acting  for  Bishop  Wm. 
R.  Whittingham,  then  Bishop  of  Maryland,  who  was 
sick  at  the  time. 

THE  REV.  THOMAS  HOWELL  was  rector  from  1697  to 
1 708  ;2  the  Rev.  Thomas  Howell  incumbent  in  1696.3 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Huett  was  preaching  in  Dorchester 
Parish  in  1691. 4 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  22. 

2  Allen  Ms. 

3  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  119. 

4  Allen  Ms.,  p.  1 5. 


158  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


CECIL  COUNTY 

Named  after  Cecilius  Calvert,  second  Lord  Baltimore. 

CECIL  COUNTY  was  erected  by  proclamation  in  1674. 

Its  boundaries  included,  for  about  two  weeks, 
No.  10  all  of  the  area  now  within  the  two  counties 
of  Cecil  and  Kent. 

The  proclamation  erecting  the  county  bore  date 
of  June  6th,  1674,  and  its  provisions  were  met  with 
such  a  storm  of  protests  from  the  inhabitants  of  the 
lower  part  of  what  is  now  Kent  county  that  the 
Proprietary  in  less  than  two  weeks  issued  an  “Order,” 
June  19th  1674,  giving  back  to  Kent  what  she  had 
held  as  hers  for  many  years.  The  “Order”  read  in 
part  as  follows: — “  .  .  that  so  much  of  the 

Eastern  side  as  was  formerly  added  to  Kent  County 
doe  still  remaine  and  belong  to  the  sd  County  as 
aforesaid — J’1 

“CECIL  COUNTY  is  divided  into  two  four  Hundreds,  vizc 
Worton  Hundred 

South  Sassafrax 
Bohemia 

Elk  “  "2 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Council  Proceedings  1674. 
1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  24. 


Elkton,  Cecil  County 


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THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  159 


“CECIL  COUNTY  is  divided  into  two  Parishes,  viz£ 

South  Sassafrax 
North  Sassafrax.”1 

These  two  parishes  comprised  all  of  the  county 
and  they  were  divided  by  the  “Sassafrax”  river. 

REPORT  TO  THE  ASSEMBLY 
July  30  1694 

“Cecil  County  hath  3  parishes 
1  vacant  of  both 
Church  &  Minister.”2 

THE  COURT  HOUSE  was  first  located  on  Ordinary 
Point  on  the  Sassafras  River.  Later  on  moved  to 
Charlestown  and  still  later  to  “Head  of  Elk,”  now 
Elkton,  the  present  County  Seat. 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  20. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  20,  p.  111. 

The  Fulham  records  mention  31  parishes  in  the  province.  It  was  evi¬ 
dently  expected  that  the  other  parish  (St.  Andrew's)  would  be  laid  out  to  cover 
the  territory  to  the  north  of  the  Elk  river.  Just  why  it  never  was  laid  out  I  have 
been  unable  to  find.  The  records  of  the  county  show  that  only  two  parishes  were 
laid  out  notwithstanding  the  "Report”  to  the  Assembly. 


160  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


"SOUTH  SASSAFRAX  PARISH  consists  of  these  follow¬ 
ing  Hundreds,  viz1 

No.  29  Worton  Hundred 

South  Sassafrax  “  “x 
At  that  time  the  parish  was  bounded  on  the  north  by 
the  Sassafras  river,  on  the  west  by  the  Chesapeake  Bay, 
on  the  south  by  a  line  running  from  the  head  of  Worton 
creek  to  some  point  on  Morgan's  creek.  Like  the  other 
border  parishes  its  outer  bounds  were  identical  with  those 
of  the  Province.3 

“VESTRYMEN  for  the  said  Parish  as  by  Return,  vizc 
Col.  William  Peirce 
Mr  William  Harris 
Mr  Edward  Blay 
Mr  William  Elins 
Mr  George  Sturton 
Mr  Edward  Scidmore  ”2 

SHREWSBURY  CHURCH  at  the  head  of  Turners 
creek  in  Kent  County  was  the  parish  church.  It 
was  first  built  about  1693.  The  present  church  in 
1823. 

THE  REV.  LAWRENCE  VANDERBUSH,  the  first  rec¬ 
tor,  was  serving  from  1692  until  his  death  in  1696.3 
The  Rev.  Rich’d  Sewell  succeeded  him;4  which  is 
confirmed  by  another  authority.5 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  20. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  20. 

3  See  St.  Paul’s  Parish,  Kent  County. 

4  Allen  Ms.,  p.  18. 

5  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  110 


SHREWSBURY,  BUILT  1832 
Locust  Grove,  Kent  County 

When  Shrewsbury  Parish  was  laid  out  in  1692  a  church,  according  to  the  records 
was  then  standing  that  had  been  built  prior  to  1691.  The  first  parish  church  was 
built  in  1693,  repaired  in  1701,  again  in  1705,  and  rebuilt  of  brick  in  1729.  That  one 
was  torn  down  in  1829  and  the  present  one  built  in  1832. 


ST.  STEPHEN 
Earleville,  Cecil  County 

When  the  first  parish  church  of  North  Sassafras  Parish  was  built,  1705,  it  succeeded 
a  "Meeting  House  "  which  was  standing  as  early  as  1691.  The  parish  church  has  been 
rebuilt  three  times:  1737,  1823  and  again  in  1873. 


\ 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  161 


“NORTH  SASSAFRAX  PARISH  consists  of  Bohemia 
and  Elk  Hundreds.’’1  It  was  bounded  on  the 
No.  30  south  by  the  Sassafras  river  on  the  east  its 
bounds  were  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Province.  This  was  true  of  the  northern  boundary 
also.  The  Chesapeake  bay  was  its  western  boundary. 
It  was  later  called  St.  Stephen’s  Parish. 

VESTRYMEN  for  the  sd  Parish  as  by  Return,  viz1 
Coll.  Caspa3  Herman 
Majr  John  Thompson 
Mr  William  Ward 
Mr  Henry  Rigg 
Mr  Matth.  Vanderhaden 
Mr  Henry  Jones.’’2 

ST.  STEPHEN’S  CHURCH  stands  at  the  head  of  Bo¬ 
hemia  river.  The  first  church  on  the  spot  was  begun 
in  1702  and  dedicated  in  1706. 

THE  REV.  LAWRENCE  VANDERBUSH  was  rector 
from  1692  to  1694.  The  Rev.  Rich’d  Sewell  was 
incumbent  in  1696. 5  He  was  sent  as  rector  of  this 
and  South  Sassafras  Parish3  in  1697.  He  also  preach¬ 
ed  at  St.  Ann’s  Church  near  Middletown,4  Delaware, 
about  1704. 

NORTH  ELK  PARISH  was  erected6  out  of  this  parish 
by  Act  of  the  Assembly  in  1706,  Chapter  4.  It  is 
now  called  St.  Mary  Ann's  Parish. 


1  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  20. 

2  Arch.  Md.,  Vol.  23,  p.  21. 

3  See  St.  Paul's  Parish  Records,  Kent  County. 

4  Hist,  of  Delaware,  Conrad. 

6  B.  C.  Steiner  in  Md.  Hist.  Magazine,  Vol.  12,  p.  119. 

6  Bacon’s  Laws  of  Maryland. 


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PART  VII 

Papers  relating  to  the  Establishment. 
Census  of  Maryland  1696. 
Parishes  of  Maryland  and  the 
District  of  Columbia  1922. 


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THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  165 


INDUCTION  OF  AN  INCUMBENT 

“The  bearer  hereof  is  Mr  Stephen 
Bordley  who  is  sent  by  the  Right 
Honorable  and  Right  Reverend 
Father  in  God,  Henry,  Lord  Bishop 
of  London  in  order  to  officiate  as 
a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England 
in  this  his  Majesty’s  Province  of 
Maryland;  I  do  therefore,  in  his 
Majesty’s  name  appoint  the  same 
Mr  Stephen  Bordley  to  officiate  as 
a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England 
in  the  Parish  of  Sc  Paul  in  Kent 
County. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal 
at  the  Port  of  Annapolis  the  23rd 
day  of  June  in  the  year  of  the 
reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  William 
the  Third,  by  the  Grace  of  God  of 
England,  Scotland,  France  and 
Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the 
Faith  &c  Anno  Domini  1697. 

Francis  Nicholson.1 

*  SEAL 


The  Vestrymen  of  Sc  Paul’s  Parish,  Kent  County, — 
These.’’ 


1  Governor  of  the  Province. 


166  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


At  a  Council  Meeting  at  Annapolis 
June  1700 

There  was  a  letter  written  to  the  Commissioners  of 
Trade  and  Plantation  refuting  some  charges  made  against 
the  Law  by  the  members  of  the  Church  of  Rome  and  by 
the  Quakers.  The  letter  is  in  part  as  follows: 

“We1  assert  to  your  Lordspps,  for  an  undoubted 
truth,  that  there  is  nothing  imposed  upon  any  dis¬ 
senting  Protestant  or  even  Papist  but  the  payment 
of  40  lb-  p  poll  equal  with  his  Majties  other  Protes¬ 
tant  Subjects  &  none  of  the  other  injunctions  in  that 
Law  have  been  so  much  as  pretended  to  be  imposed 
upon  any  dissenting  Protestant  but,  on  the  contrary 
they  are  permitted  the  quiet  &  peaceable  enjoyment 
&  use  of  their  Religion  wth  out  the  Least  Molesta¬ 
tion  whatsoever  &  therefore  they  greatly  wrong  that 
Law  &  the  Gov1  by  their  Insinuations  in  the  first 
second  &  third  exceptions. 

There  has  no  sects  of  Religion  here  opposed 
that  law  but  the  Papists  and  the  Quakers  who  from 
the  first  beginning  of  his  Maties  happy  Gov1  here 
with  which  that  Law  entered,  have  with  their  great¬ 
est  might  obstructed  it,  .  .  .  in  fine  may  it 

please  your  Lordships  their  design  is  not  only 
against  that  Law  but  Extablishing  Protestant  Re¬ 
ligion  here,  and  there  might  be  no  more  Countenance 
given  to  it  now  under  his  Maties  Gov1  than  was 
under  Lord  Baltimore’s  who  was  a  Papist  &  as  they 
say  so  it  was  Liberty  of  Conscience  to  all  without 
publick  Countenance  to  any  but  we  are  assured  as 
by  his  Maties  matchless  valour  and  conduct  he  pre- 

1.  Members  of  the  Provincial  Council 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  167 


served  our  lives  and  fortunes  from  destruction  no 
less  our  Religion  also  and  we  hope  to  enjoy  both 
and  at  the  same  time  permit  the  Quiet  Exercise  of 
Dissenters  in  theirs  while  they  will  use  it  with 
peace  and  quietness.  With  which  we  will  beg  your 
Lordsps  pardon  for  so  intruding  so  long  upon 
your  patience  and  beg  leave  to  subscribe 

Your  Lordships  most  humble  & 
Obedient  Servts 

Hen:  Jowles 
Jno.  Addison 
Tho.  Brooke 
Tho.  Tasker 
Jno.  Hammond” 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  169 


CENSUS  OF  THE  PROVINCE  IN  16961 


"Countys  Parishes  Tithables  Tobacco  Incumbents 


St.  Mary's 

St.  Mary's 

Calvert 

Calvert 

Prince  George 

William  and  Mary 
King  and  Queen 
Christ  Church 

All  Saints' 

All  Faiths’ 

532 

473 

537 

507 

278 

21,280 

18,920 

21,480 

20,280 

1 1,120 

Benj.  Nobbs 

Chris  Platts 

Hugh  Jones 

Tho.  Cockshutt 

Prince  George 
Prince  George 

St.  Paul's 

Piscattaway 

500 

20,000 

Monsieur  Morien 

258 

10,320 

Charles 

William  and  Mary 

Charles 

Port  Tobacco 

Charles 

Manjemy 

175 

19,000 

George  Tubman 

Anne  Arundel 

Herring  Creek 

507 

20,280 

Henry  Hall 

Anne  Arundel 

South  River 

460 

18,400 

Tho.  Clayton 

Anne  Arundel 

Middle  Neck 

374 

14,960 

Peregrine  Coney 

(Port  Annapol 

is  is  in  Middle  Nec 

k) 

Anne  Arundel 
Baltimore 

Baltimore 

Broad  Neck 
Patapsco 

St.  John's 

223 

218 

128 

8,920) 

8,720/ 

5,120 

Edw'd  Topp,  J r. 

Baltimore 

St.  George’s 

137 

5,480 

Rich'd  Sewell 

Cecil 

Cecil 

Kent 

South  Sassafras 
North  Sassafras 

Kent  Island 

350 

321 

146 

14,000) 

12,840/ 

5,840 

Kent 

Talbot 

Talbot 

St.  Paul 

St.  Paul's 

St.  Peter's 

338(7) 

606 

453 

15,320 

24,240 

18,120 

Stephen  Bordley 

John  Lillingston 

Talbot 

St.  Michael’s 

485 

19,400 

-  Leach 

Dorchester 

Choptank 

407 

16,280) 

Tho.  Howell 

Dorchester 

Dorchester 

221 

8,840/ 

Somersett 

Somersett 

Somersett 

Coventry 

304 

369 

12,160 

14,760 

Geo.  Trotter 

Somersett 

Stepney 

362 

14,480 

Geo.  Trotter  ut  supra 

Somersett 

Snow  Hill 

3  56 

14,240 

James  Brechin  ” 

1B.  C.  Steiner,  "Some  Unpublished  Manuscripts  from  Fulham  Palace  Relating  to  Provincial 
Maryland.''  Maryland  Historical  Magazine,  Vol.  XII,  p.  1 18-1 19. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  171 


ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY 


Subsequent  to  the  Establishment 


1698. 

Chapter 

5- 

1699. 

Chpater  50. 

1700. 

Chapter 

5- 

1701. 

Chapter 

5- 

1704. 

Chapter 

96. 

1706. 

Chapter 

4- 

1706. 

Chapter 

7- 

1718. 

Chapter 

8. 

1719. 

Chapter 

6. 

1720. 

Chapter 

4- 

1 722. 

Chapter 

3- 

1725. 

Chapter 

9- 

1725. 

Chapter 

10. 

1726. 

Chapter 

6. 

1727. 

Chapter 

10. 

1728. 

Chapter 

19. 

1728. 

Chapter 

15- 

1728. 

Chapter  25. 

1729. 

Chapter 

I  I. 

1729. 

Chapter 

IO. 

1729. 

Chapter 

13- 

I73°- 

Chapter 

2. 

173°- 

Chapter 

9- 

1731. 

Chapter 

4- 

1731- 

Chapter 

1 1. 

1732. 

Chapter 

12. 

1732- 

Chapter 

28. 

1732. 

Chapter 

29. 

Division  line  between  St.  Paul’s  and  Shrewsbury  Parishes. 
Providing  for  Church  (St.  Ann’s)  Middle  Neck  Parish, 
Anne  Arundel  County. 

Land  given  to  Christ  Church  Parish,  Calvert  County. 

Land  for  St.  James  Herring  Creek  Parish,  Anne  Arundel 
County. 

Queen  Anne  Parish  erected  from  St.  Paul’s  Parish,  Prince 
George  County. 

North  Elk  Parish  erected  in  Cecil  County. 

Newport  Hundred  taken  from  King  and  Queen  Parish  and 
added  to  William  and  Mary  Parish,  Charles  County. 
Providing  for  church,  St.  Ann’s,  Middle  Neck  Parish,  Anne 
Arundel  County. 

Rector  of  St.  John’s  Parish,  given  "Stoakley  Manor,"  Bal¬ 
timore  County. 

Old  State  House  and  lot  at  St.  Mary’s  City  “settled  on” 
Rector  of  William  and  Mary  Parish,  St.  Mary’s  County. 
Part  of  St.  Paul's  Parish,  Baltimore  County,  annexed  to 
Westminster  Parish,  Anne  Arundel  County. 

Chapel  of  Ease  at  Vienna,  Great  Choptank  Parish,  Dor¬ 
chester  County. 

St.  Mary's  White  Chapel  Parish  erected  out  of  Great  Chop- 
tank  Parish,  Dorchester  County. 

Prince  George’s  Parish  erected  out  of  St.  John’s  Parish 
(Piscattaway),  Prince  George’s  County. 

Providing  Parish  Church,  St.  Paul's  Parish,  Baltimore 
County. 

St.  Luke’s  Parish  erected  out  of  St.  Paul's  Parish,  Queen 
Anne's  County. 

Queen  Caroline  Parish  erected,  Anne  Arundel  County. 
Chapel  of  Ease,  Middle  Neck  Parish,  Anne  Arundel  County. 
Chapel  of  Ease,  Middle  Neck  Parish,  Anne  Arundel  County. 
New  Church,  All  Hallow’s  Parish,  Anne  Arundel  County. 
Erecting  church,  St.  Luke’s  Parish,  Queen  Anne  County. 
Chapel  of  Ease  at  Vienna,  Great  Choptank  Parish,  Dor¬ 
chester  County. 

Church,  St.  Paul’s  Parish,  Baltimore  County. 

New  Church,  Westminster  Parish,  Anne  Arundel  County. 
Church,  St.  Paul’s  Parish,  Baltimore  County. 

New  Church,  Christ  Church  Parish,  Calvert  County. 

New  Church,  Durham  Parish,  Charles  County. 

New  Church  and  Chapel  of  Ease,  St.  Paul’s  Parish,  Prince 
George's  County. 


172  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


ACTS  OF  ASSEMBLY — Continued 


1733 

Chapter 

10 

I  73  5 

Chapter 

9- 

I736- 

Chapter 

12. 

I73b. 

Chapter 

1  3- 

I  737 

Chapter 

5- 

1742. 

Chapter 

9- 

1742. 

Chapter 

15- 

1742. 

Chapter 

18. 

1  744- 

Chapter 

3 

1744- 

Chapter 

14- 

1744- 

Chapter 

14- 

1744- 

Chapter 

2b. 

I744- 

Chapter 

2. 

1744- 

Chapter 

2 1 . 

I  744- 

Chapter 

24. 

1745- 

Chapter 

4. 

174b. 

Chapter 

8. 

I747- 

Chapter 

9- 

174  7- 

Chapter 

18. 

174  7- 

Chapter 

24. 

1  748. 

Chapter 

2. 

1748. 

Chapter 

4- 

1  748. 

Chapter 

4- 

1748. 

Chapter 

4- 

00 

Chapter 

6. 

1748. 

Chapter 

8. 

1748. 

Chapter 

9- 

1748. 

Chapter 

9- 

1748. 

Chapter 

13- 

1748. 

Chapter 

ib. 

1749- 

Chapter 

b. 

1750. 

Chapter 

7- 

1750. 

Chapter 

8. 

1750. 

Chapter 

2  1 . 

1750. 

Chapter 

2 1 . 

New  Church  and  Chapel  of  Ease,  North  Sassafras  Parish, 
Cecil  County. 

New  church  to  he  built  and  Newport  Church  repaired, 
King  and  Queen  Parish.  St.  Mary's  County. 

Church  in  Durham  Parish,  Charles  County. 

Same  as  Chapter  9,  1735. 

Same  as  Chapter  10,  1733. 

St.  Mary  Ann's  Parish  erected,  Cecil  County. 

St.  Thomas'  Parish  erected,  Baltimore  County. 

All  Saint's  Parish  erected,  Frederick  County. 

Augustine  Parish  erected,  Cecil  County. 

Trinity  Parish  erected,  Charles  County. 

St.  Mary's  County  divided  into  four  parishes. 

Chapel  of  Ease  erected  on  land  given  by  Wm.  Scott, 
( - ?)  County. 

Chapel  already  built  to  be  made  a  Chapel  of  Ease,  Prince 
George’s  Parish. 

Land  for  St.  James  Herring  Creek  Parish,  Anne  Arundel 
County. 

Worcester  Parished  erected,  Worcester  County. 

Same  as  Chapter  14,  1744. 

Chapel  of  Ease  to  be  built,  Christ  Church  Parish,  Calvert 
County. 

Church  and  two  chapels  of  ease  to  be  built  in  All  Saints 
Parish,  Frederick  County. 

Land.  Westminster  Parish.  Anne  Arundel  County. 

Land.  Middle  Neck  Parish,  Anne  Arundel  County. 

Chapel  of  Ease,  Shrewsbury  Parish,  Kent  County. 

Bounds  of  King  and  Queen  Parish,  St.  Mary's  County. 
Bounds  of  All  Faith  Parish,  St.  Mary’s  County. 

Same  as  Chapter  14,  1744,  St.  Mary's  County. 

New  church  at  Snow  Hill,  Worcester  County. 

Church  enlarged,  Christ  Church  Parish,  Kent  Island. 
Trinity  Parish,  Charles  County. 

Bounds  of  King  and  Queen  Parish,  St.  Mary’s  County. 

St.  John's  Parish  erected,  Queen  Anne  County. 

Chapel  of  Ease,  St.  John's  Parish,  Baltimore  County. 

Parish  Church,  St.  Paul's  Parish,  Baltimore  County. 

New  Church  and  Chapel  of  Ease,  St.  George’s  Parish, 
Baltimore,  now  Harford  County. 

Parish  Church  to  be  enlarged,  William  and  Mary  Parish, 
St.  Mary's  County. 

Parish  Church,  All  Saints  Parish,  Frederick  County. 
Chapel  of  Ease  to  be  erected,  King  and  Queen  Parish,  St. 
Mary's  County. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  173 


ACTS  OF  ASSEMBLY— Concluded 


1751. 

Chapter 

6. 

1751. 

Chapter 

9- 

1751. 

Chapter 

1 2. 

1751. 

Chapter 

D- 

1752. 

Chapter 

6. 

1753- 

Chapter 

12. 

1 753  • 

Chapter 

18. 

1753- 

Chapter 

19. 

1754. 

Chapter 

6. 

1754- 

Chapter 

7- 

175  5- 

Chapter 

14- 

1755- 

Chapter 

15- 

1756. 

Chapter 

7- 

I757- 

Chapter 

18. 

1758- 

Chapter 

2. 

1762. 

Chapter 

16. 

1762. 

Chapter 

T-5- 

1 762. 

Chapter 

28. 

1763- 

Chapter 

14- 

1763. 

Chapter  27. 

1765. 

Chapter  32. 

1770. 

Chapter 

18. 

1770. 

Chapter 

9- 

1770. 

Glebe,  Durham  Parish,  Charles  County, 

Parish  Church  and  Chapel  of  Ease  to  be  built  in  Trinity 
Parish,  Charles  County. 

New  church  to  be  built,  Portobacco  Parish,  Charles  County. 
Chapel  of  Ease  to  be  built,  Coventry  Parish,  Somerset 
County. 

Parish  Church  and  Chapel  of  Ease. 

Same  as  Chapter  12,  1751. 

Chapel  of  Ease  repaired,  St.  Paul's  Parish,  Prince  Georges 
County. 

Vestrymen,  St.  Andrews  Parish,  St.  Mary's  County. 
Chaptico  Church  to  be  repaired,  King  and  Queen  Parish, 
St.  Mary's  County. 

Chapel  of  Ease  at  Ivy  Springs,  Portobacco  Parish,  Charles 
County. 

Chapel  of  Ease,  Worcester  Parish,  Worcester  County. 

New  Church,  St.  Mary’s  White  Chapel  Parish,  Dorchester 
County. 

Same  as  Chapter  6,  1748,  Worcester  County. 

Same  as  Chapter  7,  1750,  Baltimore  County. 

Same  as  Chapter  7,  1750,  Baltimore  County. 

Chapel.  Somerset  Parish,  Somerset  County. 

Chapel  of  Ease  to  be  built  at  T.  L.,  St.  Paul’s  Parish, 
Baltimore  County. 

New  Church  to  be  built  St.  James  Herring  Creek  Parish, 
Anne  Arundel  County. 

Relating  to  No.  Sassafras,  Parish,  Cecil  County. 

Enlarging  Church,  St.  Johns  .Parish,  Baltimore  County. 
Chester  Parish  erected,  Kent  County. 

St.  James  Parish  erected,  Baltimore  County. 

Eden  alias  Zion  Parish  erected,  Frederick  County. 

St.  John's  Parish,  Hagerstown,  erected  Frederick  County. 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  175 


BALTIMORE  CITY 

CATHEDRAL  OF  THE  INCARNATION 

Churches  In  Use  1923 


Advent 
All  Saints’ 

Ascension 

Christ 

Christ  Church  Chapel 
Emanuel 

Epiphany,  Govans 

Grace  and  St.  Peter 

Grace  Deaf  Mute  Mission 

Grace  Chapel,  Mt.  Winans 

Guardian  Angel 

Holy  Cross 

Holy  Comforter 

Holy  Evangelist 

Holy  Innocents 

Holy  Nativity 

Holy  Trinity 

Messiah 

Memorial 

Mt.  Calvary 

Nativity,  Cedarcroft 

Our  Savior 

Prince  of  Peace 

Redeemer,  Govans 


Redemption 

St.  Andrew’s 

St.  Andrew’s,  Hamilton 

St.  Bartholomew’s 

St.  David’s,  Roland  Park 

St.  James’,  Irvington 

St.  James’  (Colored) 

St.  John’s 

St.  John's,  Catonsville  Ave. 
St.  John’s,  Mt.  Washington 
St.  Katharine’s  Chapel 
St.  Luke’s 
St.  Margaret’s 
St.  Mary  the  Virgin  Chapel 
(Colored) 

St.  Mary’s,  Hampden 
St.  Michael  and  All  Angels 
St.  Mathias,  Belgravia 
St.  Paul’s 
St.  Paul’s  Chapel 
St.  Philip’s,  Highlandtown 
St.  Stephen  the  Martyr 
St.  Thomas’,  Homestead 
Trinity,  Ten  Hills 


176  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 

CATHEDRAL  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL 

(The  National  Cathedral) 

Churches  In  Use  1923 


Advent 
All  Saints’ 

All  Souls’ 

Ascension 
Atonement 
Bethlehem  Chapel 
Calvary 

Christ,  Georgetown 

Christ 

Emmanuel 

Esther  Memorial 

Epiphany 

Epiphany  Chapel 

Good  Shepherd  Chapel 

Grace,  Georgetown 

Grace 

Holy  Comforter  Chapel 
Incarnation 
Nativity  Chapel 
Our  Savior 
Redeemer 

Resurrection  Chapel 

St.  Alban 

St.  Agnes’  Chapel 

St.  Andrew 

St.  Barnabas’  Chapel 


St.  Columba’s  Chapel 
St.  David  Chapel 
St.  Elizabeth 
St.  George’s  Chapel 
St.  James’ 

St.  John’s 

St.  John’s,  Georgetown 

St.  John's  Chapel 

St.  Luke’s 

St.  Mark’s 

St.  Margaret’s 

St.  Mary’s  Chapel 

St.  Matthew’s  Chapel 

St.  Matthew’s,  Bennings 

St.  Matthew’s,  Seat  Pleasant 

St.  Michael  and  All  Angels 

St.  Monica’s  Chapel 

St.  Patrick’s  Chapel 

St.  Paul’s 

St.  Peter  and  St.  Paul’s 
St.  Philip  the  Evangelist 
St.  Stephen’s 
St.  Thomas’ 

Transfiguration  Chapel 
Trinity 

Trinity,  Takoma  Park 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  177 


MARYLAND  PARISHES 


Advent 

1900 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Addison 

181 1 

W. 

Seat  Pleasant 

All  Faith's 

1692 

W. 

Mechanicsville 

All  Hallow's 

1692 

M. 

Davidsonville 

All  Hallow's 

1692 

E. 

Snow  Hill 

All  Saint's 

1875 

E. 

Longwoods 

All  Saint's 

1692 

M. 

Sunderland 

All  Saint’s 

1742 

M. 

Frederick 

All  Saint's 

1893 

W. 

Oakley 

All  Soul's 

1913 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Anacostia 

1869 

w. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Ascension 

1845 

w. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Ascension 

1844 

M. 

Westminster 

Antietam 

1899 

M. 

Sharpsburg 

Augustine 

1744 

E. 

Chesapeake  City 

Brookland 

1897 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Catoctin 

1855 

M. 

Thurmont 

Christ  Church 

1818 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Christ  Church 

1692 

E. 

Stevensville 

Christ  Church 

1692 

M. 

Port  Republic 

Christ  Church 

1913 

W. 

Kensington 

Chester 

1765 

E. 

Chestertown 

Churchville 

1869 

M. 

Churchville 

Congress  Heights 

1908 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Coventry 

1692 

E. 

Upper  Fairmount 

Deer  Creek 

1859 

M. 

Darlington 

Durham 

1692 

W. 

Nanjemoy 

Dorchester 

1692 

E. 

Church  Creek 

Emanuel 

1803 

M. 

Cumberland 

Epiphany 

1871 

W. 

Forestville 

Epiphany 

1844 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Georgetown 

1809 

w. 

Georgetown 

Great  Choptank 

1692 

E. 

Cambridge 

Grace 

1866 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Grace  Church 

1852 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Havre  de  Grace 

1809 

M. 

Havre  de  Grace 

Holy  Trinity 

1844 

M. 

Eldersburg 

Holy  Trinity 

1844 

W. 

Collington 

Holy  Trinity 

E. 

Greensboro 

Holy  Trinity 

1852 

E. 

Oxford 

"I.  U."  Christ  Church 

1862? 

E. 

Worton. 

Immanuel 

1876 

M. 

Glencoe 

Incarnation 

1868 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

178  THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND 


MARYLAND  PARISHES— Continued 


E,  Easton;  M,  Maryland;  W, 

Washingt 

on 

King  and  Queen 

1692 

W. 

Chaptico 

Linganore 

1889 

M. 

New  Market 

Miles  River 

E. 

Tunis 

North  Elk 

1706 

E. 

North  East 

North  Sassafras 

1692 

E. 

Earlville 

North  Kent 

1855 

E. 

Massey’s 

Norwood 

1895 

W. 

Bethesda 

Piscattaway  Broad  Creek  1692 

W. 

Oxonhill 

Pocomoke 

1855 

E. 

Pocomoke  City 

Port  Tobacco 

1692 

W. 

La  Plata 

Prince  George 

1726 

W. 

Rockville 

Queen  Anne’s 

1704 

W. 

Leeland 

Queen  Caroline 

1728 

M. 

Guilford 

Reisterstown 

1871 

M. 

Reisterstown 

Rock  Creek 

1726-1811 

W. 

D.  C. 

St.  Alban's 

1855 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

St.  Andrew's 

1744 

W. 

Leonardtown 

St.  Andrew's 

1858 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

St.  Ann's 

1692 

M. 

Annapolis 

St.  Bartholomew’s 

1812 

W. 

Laytonsville 

St.  Bartholomew's 

E. 

Crisfield 

St.  George's 

1692 

M. 

Perrymans 

St.  George's 

1875 

M. 

Mt.  Savage 

St.  James’ 

1770 

M. 

Monkton 

St.  James' 

1873 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

St.  James' 

1692 

M. 

Herring  Creek 

St.  John's 

1823 

W. 

Accokeek 

St.  John's 

1748 

E. 

Hillsboro 

St.  John's 

1692 

M. 

Upper  Falls 

St.  John's 

1896 

M. 

Frostburg 

St.  John's 

1700 

M. 

Hagerstown 

St.  John's 

1816 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

St.  Luke's 

1728 

E. 

Church  Hill 

St.  Mary  Anne's 

1742 

E. 

North  East 

St.  Mary  s  Whitechapel 

1725 

E. 

Denton 

St.  Mary's 

1851 

W. 

St.  Mary’s  City 

St.  Mark's 

1800 

M. 

Petersville 

St.  Mark’s 

1869 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

St.  Margaret’s 

1897 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

St.  Matthew's 

1916 

M. 

Sparrows  Point 

St.  Matthew's 

181 1 

W. 

Hyattsville 

St.  Matthew’s 

1874 

M. 

Oakland 

St.  Michael's 

1692 

E. 

St.  Michael's 

St.  Michael’s  and  All  Angels 

1893 

W. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  179 


MARYLAND  PARISHES— Concluded 


E.  Easton;  M,  Maryland;  W,  Washington 


St.  Paul's 
St.  Paul's 
St.  Paul's 
St.  Paul's 
St.  Paul  s 
St.  Paul's 
St.  Paul's 
St.  Paul's 
St.  Peter's 
St.  Peter's 
St.  Peter's 
St.  Philip's 
St.  Stephen’s 
St.  Stephen’s 
St.  Thomas’ 

St.  Thomas' 

St.  Thomas' 

St.  Thomas' 

Salisbury 

Severn 

Shrewsbury 

Sherwood 

Silver  Spring 

Somerset 

Spring  Hill 

Stepney 

Susquehanna 

Takoma 

Trinity 

Trinity 

Trinity 

Trinity 

Vienna 

Washington 

Western  Run 

Westminster 

Whitemarsh 

William  and  Mary 

William  and  Mary 

Wicomico 

Worcester 

Wye 

Zion 

Zion 


1692 

E. 

1868 

W. 

1836 

E. 

1692 

W. 

1692 

E. 

1692 

M. 

1842 

M. 

1841 

M. 

1869 

M. 

1792 

W. 

1692 

E. 

1848 

W. 

1836 

E. 

1892 

W. 

1891 

W. 

1891 

M. 

1742 

M. 

1851 

W. 

1848 

E. 

1838 

M. 

1692 

E. 

1859 

M. 

1864 

W. 

1692 

E. 

1827 

E. 

1692 

E. 

1913 

E. 

1896 

W. 

1827 

W. 

1744 

W. 

1869 

M. 

E. 

1836 

E. 

1794 

W. 

1845 

M. 

1692 

M. 

1858 

E. 

1692 

W. 

1692 

w. 

1845 

E. 

1744 

E. 

1860 

E. 

1811 

W. 

1804 

M. 

Fairlee 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Vienna 

Baden 

Centerville 

Baltimore  City 

Prince  Frederick 

Point  of  Rocks 

Patuxent  Forge 

Poolesville 

Easton 

Laurel 

East  New  Market 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Hancock 

Owings  Mills 

Croome 

Salisbury 

Millersville 

Kennedyville 

Cockeysville 

Woodside 

Princess  Anne 

Quantico 

Bivalve 

Port  Deposit 

Takoma  Park 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Newport 

Dorsey 

Elkton 

Vienna 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Glyndon 

St.  Margaret’s 

Trappe 

Wayside 

Valley  Lee 

Mt.  Vernon 

Berlin 

Queenstown 

Beltsville 

Urbana 


THE  FIRST  PARISHES  OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  MARYLAND  181 


SOURCES 


McMahon's  “History  of  Maryland." 

Chalmer's  “Political  Annals." 

Chalmer  s  “Opinions  of  Eminent  Lawyers." 

Henning's  “Statutes  at  Large." 

Encyclopedia  Britannia,  9th  Edition. 

Johnson's  “Founders  of  Maryland." 

Hall's  “Narratives  of  Early  Maryland.” 

Archives  of  Maryland. 

Hawk's  “Ecclesiastical  History  of  the  United  States,"  Vol.  2. 

Kilty’s  “Landholders'  Assistant." 

Reports  of  the  American  Historical  Society. 

Thomas’  “Chronicles  of  Colonial  Maryland." 

Allen's  Manuscript  “History  of  the  Church  in  Maryland." 

Baldwin's  “Calendar  of  Wills." 

Ridgely's  “Old  Brick  Churches." 

Gambrall's  “Church  Life  in  Colonial  Maryland." 

Mathews'  “Counties  of  Maryland." 

Bacon's  “Laws  of  Maryland." 

Scharf’s  “History  of  Baltimore  County." 

Tilghman's  “History  of  Talbot  County." 

Earle  &  Skirven's  “Marylands  Colonial  Eastern  Shore.” 

Harrison's  Manuscript  “History  of  the  Church  in  Talbot  County." 
Conrad’s  “History  of  Delaware." 

Bozman's  “History  of  Maryland." 

Steiner.  “Some  Unpublished  Manuscripts  from  Fulham  Palace,  etc." 
Parish  Records  of  the  Thirty  Original  Parishes. 

Court  Records  of  the  Ten  Original  Countys. 

Land  Records  of  the  Ten  Original  Countys. 

Calvert  Papers. 

Wroth.  “The  First  Sixty  Years  of  the  Church  of  England  in  Maryland." 


INDEX 


Names,  Counties,  Court  Houses,  Hundreds,  Parishes, 
Churches,  Geographical  Names  and 
Miscellaneous. 


INDEX 


NAME 

Abbett,  Samuel  Senr .  146 

Adams,  Rev.  Alexander .  150 

Richard .  141 

Addison,  Col.  John.  37,  39,  40,  73,  74, 

98,  135,  164 

Alfred  the  Great .  105 

Allen,  Rev.  Ethan . 106,  130 

Andros,  Gov.  Edmund .  155 

Anne,  Queen  of  England . 95,  102 

Arundel,  Lady  Anne .  118 

Archbishop  of  Canterbury  26,  28,  105 

Ashman,  George . 40,  1 40 

Askue,  Charles .  129 

Philip .  152 

Baleter,  Edward .  96 

Baltimore,  Lord,  First.  .  .  .3,  4,  7,  143 
Second. ...1-11,  27, 
118,  137,  148,  158 
Third. ...  14,  23,  27, 
28,  29,  30,  31,  32,  130,  163 

Fourth .  14 

Fifth .  14 


NAME 

Bozman.John .  43 

Bray,  Rev.  Thomas.  ...  18,  19,  71,  73, 

74,  126 

Brooke  (or  Brooks),  Thomas.  .37,  40, 
73,  74,  98,  128,  164 

Dr.  John . 39,  47 

Browne,  Col.  David . 37,  39,  40 

Brown,  William .  122 

Brechin,  Rev.  James . 153,  171 

Brisco,  Phillip .  113 

Bullett,  Joseph . 133,  134 

Burgess,  Edward .  121 

Button,  John .  157 

Calverts,  the .  14 

Calvert,  Benedict .  14 

Cecclius.4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  10,  12, 
27,  104,  111,  158 

Charles . 14,  27,  1  30 

George . 2,  3,  5,  143 

Leonard . 5,  6,  7,  8 

Campbell,  John .  112 

Canterbury,  Archbishop  of 


Barecraft,  John . 

.  113 

26,  28, 

105 

Barton,  William . 

.  .  128,  133 

Carlisle,  Earl  of . 

23 

Beale,  Ninian . 

.  39 

Carolina,  Lords  Proprietors  of. . . 

23 

Thomas . 

.  112 

Carter,  Philip . 

152 

Bennett,  John . 

.  123 

Carteret,  Sir  George.  .  . 

23 

Bigger,  John . 

.  41 

Carvel,  Major  John  .  .  . 

40 

Biggs,  Seth . 

.  120 

Chairs,  John . 

145 

Bishop  of  Illinois . 

.  157 

Chambers,  Richard .... 

150 

Bishop  of  London,  Wm.  Laud. .  .  2 

Charles  I.  of  England.  . 

3,  9 

Henry  Comp- 

Charlet,  Richard . 

128 

ton . 

13,  15,  17, 

Chase,  Samuel . 

97 

18,  28,  38,  127,  145,  162 

Cheseldyne,  Kenelm.  .  . 

.  .  .39,  40, 

112 

Bishop  of  Maryland . 

.  157 

Clarke,  Philip . 

40 

Blackiston  (or  Blackistone) ,  Govr. 

Clayland,  Rev.  James 

Nathaniel .  .  . 

.  19,  72,  98 

42, 

106,  146, 

147 

Col.  Nehemiah 

Clcgate,  Thomas . 

126 

37, 

39,  40,  113 

Cleybourne,  William. .  . 

. 2, 

1 16 

Bladen,  William . 

_ 96,  101 

Clouds,  Richard . 

113 

Bland,  Thomas . 

.  122 

Cockshutt,  Rev.  Thomas . 96, 

127 

Blay,  Edward . 

.  160 

Codd,  Col.  St.  Leger  .  .  . 

. 41,  42 

Boothby,  Edward . 

.  40 

C.olebatch,  Rev.  Joseph 

121 

Bordley,  Rev.  Stephen.  .  . 

. . .117,  162 

Coleburn,  William . 

151 

Boston,  Henry . 

.  96 

Collyer,  Robert . 

152 

Bounds,  John . 

.  152 

Commissioners  of  Trade  &  Plan- 

Bowdle,  Thomas . 

.  146 

tation.  17,  23,  30,  32, 

71,  72,  74, 

163 

INDEX 


NAME 

Conner,  Philip .  116 

Cony,  Rev.  Peregrine .  122 

Coode,  Capt.  John . 39,  98,  1 1 3 

Copley,  Govr.  Lionel.  .  14,  15,  16,  17, 
37,  40,  47,  49,  58 

Coppage,  John .  116 

Corban,  Nicholas .  140 

Cordey,  Thomas .  142 

Cornwallis,  Thomas .  7 

Coursey,  William .  145 

Courtes  (or  Coates),  Col.  John 

37,  39,  40,  73,  98,  132,  133 

Craven,  Earl  of .  23 

Crawford,  Rev.  Mr .  112 

Cressey,  Samuel . 132,  133 

Cromwell,  Oliver .  9 

Richard . 139,  140 

Crooke,  Robert .  42 

Dalrumple,  William .  96 

Dare,  William . 41,  42,  34 

Davies  (or  Dawes),  Rev.  Thomas 

106,  112,  113,  128,  129,  142 

Davis,  Capt.  John .  147 

Dent,  Capt.  John . 73,  113 

William . 41,  60,  134 

Denton,  Henry . 41,  44,  49,  58,  59 

Dixon,  Thomas .  151 

Dorset,  Earl  of .  154 

Dorsey,  John .  41 

Draper,  Lawrence .  122 

Dulaney,  Daniel .  97 

Eager,  George .  123 

Eagle,  Robert .  123 

Eareckson,  Matthew .  107 

Eaton,  Rev.  Jeremiah .  142 

Eccleston,  Hugh .  155 

Edmondson,  John . 39,  40,  41,  43 

Edwards,  Rev.  John . 141,  142 

Elins,  William .  160 

Elzey,  John .  148 

Peter .  150 

Emmet,  John .  135 

Ennals,  Thomas . 41,  43 

Evans,  Rev.  Evan .  142 

Evernden,  Thomas .  41 


NAME 

Ferry,  John .  140 

Firnley,  Henry .  126 

Finney,  William . 40,  145 

Fowke,  Elizabeth .  134 

Gerrard .  134 

Francklin,  John .  153 

Frisby,  James . 37,  40 

William .  117 

Fuller,  Edward .  123 

Gardner,  Capt.  Richard .  129 

Gassaway,  Nicholas .  39 

Gay,  John .  140 

Geddes,  Andrew .  127 

George  I.  of  England .  14 

Gerrard,  Capt.  Thomas .  102 

Gillam,  John .  129 

Godwin  (or  Godden),  John .  41 

Gourwin,  Thomas .  13 

Greenbury,  Col.  Nicholas.  .37,  39,  40 

Greenfield,  Thomas . 41,  128 

Gresham,  John .  121 

Grey,  Miles .  150 

Groome,  Moses .  141 

Guilford,  Lord .  15 

Haley,  Thomas .  141 

Hall,  Rev.  Henry .  120,  126,  127 

Joseph .  96 

Hammond,  Edward .  153 

John . 41,  73,  164 

Hance,  John .  127 

Hanslope,  Capt.  Henry .  121 

Hanson,  Hans . 40,  117 

John .  133 

Harbert,  William .  132 

Hardy,  Henry .  132 

Harness,  Jacob .  122 

Harris,  James .  108 

William . 39,  40,  160 

Harrison,  Richard .  133 

Hatton,  William .  135 

Hawkins,  Henry . 41,  133 

John .  133 

Hawton,  William .  132 

Heigh,  James .  96 

Hemsley,  William  Jr .  144 


INDEX 


NAME 

Herman,  Col.  Casparus .  161 

Hill,  Rev.  Richard .  126 

Hodge,  Thomas .  141 

Holdsworth,  Samuel .  126 

Holebroke,  Thomas .  152 

Hollace,  William .  142 

Holland,  Capt.  William . 98,  120 

Hollyday,  Mr.  James .  97 

Thomas .  128 

Hopkins,  Jonathan . 144,  145 

William .  123 

Horsey,  Nathaniel .  150 

Stephen .  148 

Hoskins,  Capt.  Philip. .  .  .41,  133,  134 

Howard,  Cornelius .  122 

Howell,  Rev.  Thos . 156,  157 

Huett  (Hewett),  Rev.  John.  .  .40,  42, 
106,  150,  152,  157 

Hull,  Rev.  Richard .  127 

Hunt,  Benjamin .  156 

Hussey,  Thomas .  131 

Hutchins,  Col.  Charles . 37,  40 

Hutchinson,  William .  135 

Illinois,  Bishop  of .  157 

J  ames  I .  of  England . 3 ,  12 

James,  Charles .  39 

Edward .  116 

Rev.  Richard ....  2,  6,  13,  116 

J enckins,  F rancis .  151 

Johnson,  George .  148 

Jones,  Edward . 39,  41 

Henry .  161 

James .  148 

Jowles,  Col.  Henry..  .  .37,  39,  40,  164 
Judwin,  John .  146 


NAME 

Lawrence,  Sir  Thomas . 37,  40 

Layfield,  George .  151 

Lecompt  .John .  156 

Leich  (or  Leach),  John  Jr .  127 

Rev.  Joseph . 146,  160 

Lewis,  Wm .  7 

Lillingston,  Rev.  John.  .106,  145,  146 
Llewellen,  John. . .  .40,  49,  58,  59,  112 

Lloyd,  Edward . 73,  98 

Lockwood,  Capt.  Robert .  120 

Lomax,  C .  133 

Lowe,  Nicholas .  146 

Macklin,  Robert .  145 

Magruder,  Samuel .  128 

Magruther,  Samuel .  128 

Manning,  John .  126 

Joseph .  134 

Marsden,  Rev.  Richard .  147 

Martin,  Thomas .  146 

Maryland,  Bishop  of .  157 

Mary,  Queen  of  England.  .  .35,  49,  58 

Mary,  the  Blessed  Virgin .  110 

Mason,  Robert . 40,  112 

Mathews,  Roger .  142 

Mattox,  Lawrence .  43 

Maulden,  Francis .  126 

Maxwell,  Lt.  Col .  139 

Merrican,  Hugh .  123 

Miller,  Michael . 39,  1 1 7 

Mitchell,  Henry .  41 

Moadsly,  James .  157 

Moore,  Rev.  Mr .  106,  132,  133 

Morien,  Rev.  Mr .  128 

Mullett,  Rev.  William . 13,  126 

Murphey,  Capt.  James .  147 


Keech,  J  ames .  129 

Keith,  Rev.  Robert .  153 

Kemp,  Thomas .  127 

King,  Elias .  40 

Obediah .  156 

Robert .  39 


Nichols,  William .  127 

Nicholson,  Gov.  Francis.  .  .  17,  18,  63, 

122,  162 

Nicols,  Rev.  Henry .  147 

Nobbes,  Rev.  Benj .  112 

Nuball,  Thomas .  151 


Langworth,  Mr . 98,  113 

Laurence,  Col.  Wm .  116 


Odber,  Capt.  John .  148 

Ormond,  Duke  of .  23 

Owen,  Rev.  Robert .  128 


INDEX 


NAME 

Paca,  William .  97 

Panter,  John .  150 

Parker,  John .  142 

Pead,  Rev.  Duel  1 . 13,  121 

Pearce  (or  Pierce),  Capt.  William  160 

Perrett,  Nicholas .  120 

Person,  John .  156 

Phelps,  Walter .  121 

Phinney  (Finney?),  Wm .  40 

Pinder,  Edward .  41 

Pitt,  Philip  V .  156 

Planer,  Wm.  Sr .  151 

Plater,  George .  60 

Platts,  Rev.  Christopher .  113 

Pointer,  Thomas .  153 

Pope,  The .  7 

Povey,  John .  95 

Power,  John .  147 

Preston,  Capt.  Thos .  141 

Revell,  Randall .  148 

Richardson,  Lawrence .  141 

Ridgeley,  Henry .  41 

Rigbey,  James .  120 

Rigg,  Henry .  161 

Robins,  George .  146 

Thomas . 43,  146 

Robison,  William .  157 

Robotham,  Charles .  37 

Col.  George . 39,  40 

Roper,  William .  121 

Round,  William .  153 

Sampson,  Richard .  140 

Sanders,  James .  41 

Saunders,  James .  98 

Scarborough,  Matt .  153 

Scidmore,  Edward .  160 

Scott,  Daniel .  141 

John .  127 

Selbey,  Thomas .  153 

Sewell,  Rev.  Richard . 160,  161 

Seymour,  Govr.  Joseph .  102 

Sherwood,  Hugh . 40,  147 

Shinton,  William .  157 

Siclemore,  Samuel .  141 

Skinner,  Andrew .  147 


NAME 

Slye,  Capt.  Gerrard .  102 

Smallwood,  John .  135 

Major  James .  41 

Smith,  George .  142 

John .  129 

Richard .  126 

Robert .  40 

Walter .  127 

Smithson,  Thomas .  147 

Smyth,  Thomas .  117 

Somerset,  Mary .  148 

Southern,  Richard .  129 

Valentine .  116 

Sourton,  Rev.  Francis .  13 

Staley,  Thomas . 39,  40,  141 

Stephens,  Edward .  156 

William .  148 

Stoddart,  James .  135 

Stone,  John .  134 

William .  134 

Govr.  William .  9 

Sturton,  George .  160 

Talbot,  Grace .  143 

Tanneyhill,  Wm .  135 

Tasker,  Thomas . 41,  127,  164 

Taylard,  W . 44,  94,  101 

Tayler,  Abraham .  141 

Lawrence .  142 

Tench,  Thomas .  37,  40,  120 

Theakston,  Thomas .  42 

Theodore  of  Tarsus .  105 

Thomas,  John .  39 

Major  John .  140 

Thompson,  Major  John .  161 

Thorne,  Capt.  Wm .  148 

Tilden,  Charles .  117 

Tilley,  Joseph .  120 

Topp,  Rev.  Edw.  Jr . 123,  140 

Trippe,  Major  Henry . 39,  41 

Trotter,  Rev.  George . 150,  152 

Tubman,  Rev.  George 

132,  133,  134,  135 

Turbut,  Michael .  147 

Turling,  Rev.  John 

106,  126,  128,  129,  134 
Turner,  Wm .  127 


INDEX 


NAME 

Vanderbush,  Rev.  Lawrence 


106,  117,  160,  161 

Vanderhaden,  Matthew .  lbl 

Vickers,  Thomas .  157 

Walkers,  Alexander .  116 

Ward,  William .  161 

Warner,  George . 34,  41,  42 

Watkings  (or  Watkins),  Francis 

40,  140 

Watkins,  John . 100,  121 

Watson,  John . 40,  1 1  2 

Weatherly,  James .  152 

Wharfteld.  Richard .  122 

Wheeler,  Samuel .  40 

White,  John .  148 


Whitehouse,  Rt.  Rev.  Henry  J  .  .  157 
Whittingnam,  Rt.  Rev.  Wm.  R..  157 


NAME 

Whittington,  John .  145 

William . 40,  43 

Wielder,  John .  132 

Wilkinson,  Rev.  William . 6,  9,  13 

William  111.  of  England  ...  14,  35,  49, 

58,  93,  94,  97,  162 

Williamson,  "Mr.  Secretary".  .  .  23 

Wilmore,  Simon .  117 

Winder,  John .  148 

Witley,  Arthur .  157 

Woolford,  Roger .  43 

Wootton,  Rev.  James . 122,  123 

Workman,  Anthony .  116 

Wright,  Nathaniel .  145 

Wroth,  James .  42 

Wynne,  Edward .  40 

Yates,  Robert .  .132 

Yeo,  Rev.  John .  13,26,  141,  142 


INDEX 


HUNDREDS 

Annemessex . 

Bay . 

Bohemia . 

Broad  Neck . 

Bollingbroke . 

Chaptico . 

Chester  River,  Lower . 

Upper . 

Chester . 

Choptank,  Great . 

Little . 

Cliffs,  Lower  End  of . 

Upper  End  of . 

Eastern  Neck . 

Elk . 

Elkton  Head . 

Fishing  Creek . 

Gunpowder  River . 

South . 

Harvey . 

Hermitage . 

Herring  Creek . 

Hunting  Cre^k . 

Island . 

Island . 

Kent  Island,  Lower . 

King  and  Queen  Parish,  Upper .... 

Langford's  Bay . 

Leonard’s  Creek . 

Lyon's  Creek . 

Manii  (Monii) . 

Manokin . 

Mattapany . 

Middle  Neck . 

Mill . 

Mount  Calvert . 

Nanjemy  (Nanjemoy),  Upper . 

Nanjemay  (Nanjemoy),  Lower . 

Nanticoke . 

Nanticoke . 

Newport . 

New  Town . 

Patapsco,  North  Side . 

South  Side . 

Pocomoke . 

Poplar  Hill . 

Poquede  Norton  (or  Bogettenorton) 


Old  County 

Somerset . 149,  151 

Talbot . 143,  147 

Cecil . 158,  161 

Anne  Arundel . 119,  123 

Talbot . 143,  146 

St.  Mary’s .  110 

Kent .  115 

Kent .  115 

Talbot .  143 

Dorchester .  154 

Dorchester .  154 

Calvert . 124,  126 

Calvert . 124,  127 

Kent .  115 

Cecil . 158,  161 

Calvert . 1 24,  1 26 

Dorchester .  154 

Baltimore . 1  38,  141 

Baltimore . 1 38,  141 

St.  Mary’s . 110,  129 

Dorchester .  154 

Anne  Arundel . 119,  120 

Calvert . 124,  126 

Kent . 115 

Talbot . 143,  147 

Talbot .  143 

Charles .  130 

Kent .  115 

Calvert . 124,  126 

Calvert . 124,  127 

Somerset . 149,  150 

Somerset . 149,  150 

Somerset . 149,  153 

Anne  Arundel .  119 

Talbot . 143,  147 

Calvert .  128 

Charles .  130 

Charles .  130 

Dorchester .  154 

Somerset . 149,  1  52 

Charles . 113,  130 

St.  Mary’s . 110,  111 

Baltimore . 138,  140 

Baltimore .  138 

Somerset . 149,  151 

St.  Mary’s . 99,  110 

Somerset . 149,  153 


INDEX 


LATER  PARISHES 


Parishes  Present  Location 

All  Saints . Frederick . 

Old  County 

.  .  Charles . 

. 136,  1 36 

Chester . 

Kent . 

.  .  Kent . 

.  JI4 

North  Elk  (or 

Cecil . 

.  .Cecil . 

St.  Mary  Anne's) 

Prince  George's .  .  . 

.  Prince  George. . .  . 

.  Prince  George . 130, 

135,  136,  136 

Queen  Anne . 

Prince  George.  .  .  . 

.  .  Prince  George . 

.  ....  1 28,  163 

Rock  Creek . 

Dist.  of  Columbia. 

.  Charles . 

.  1 3° 

St.  Luke's . 

Queen  Anne's .... 

.  .  Talbot . 

. 144,  1 45 

St.  Mary's  White 

Caroline . 

.  .  Dorchester . 

.  156 

Chapel 

St .  Thomas' . 

Baltimore . 

.  .  Baltimore . 

. 13Q,  140 

Trinity . 

Charles . 

.  St.  Mary's  and  Charles. . . . 

.  129 

Whitemarsh . 

Talbot . 

.  .Talbot . 

.  146 

Worcester . 

Worcester . 

.  .  Somerset . 

.  153 

Wye . 

Queen  Anne's.  .  .  . 

.  .  Talbot . 

. 145 

Page  numbers  in  italics  denote  reference  to  be  found  on  illustration  opposite  the 

number 


INDEX 


CHURCHES 


Old  County 

Present  County 

All  Faiths . 

.  .Calvert . 

.  .St.  Mary's.  .  .  . 

.  106,  129,  i2Q 

All  Hallows  (Snow  Hill) . 

.  .Somerset . 

.  .  Worcester . 

. 153,  133 

All  Hallows  (South  River) .  . 

.  .  Anne  Arundel.  .  .  . 

.  .  Anne  Arundel .  . 

106,  121,  i2i 

All  Saints . 

.  .  Calvert . 

. .  Calvert . 

. 127,  127 

All  Saints  (Monii) . 

.  .Somerset . 

.  .Somerset .  .  .42, 

106,  150,  iso 

All  Saints  (Frederick) . 

.  .Charles . 

.  .  Frederick . 

. 1 36,  13 6 

Christ  Church  (Broad  Creek) 

. .  Kent . 

.  .  Queen  Anne’s 

12, 

106,  116,  1 16 

Christ  Church  (Easton) . 

. .  Talbot . 

.  .  Talbot . 

. 143,  146 

Christ  Church  (Nanjemy). .  . 

.  .Charles . 

.  .Charles . 

. 132,  134 

Christ  Church,  Cambridge .  . 

.  .Dorchester . 

.  .  Dorchester . 

.  .65,  136,  1  56 

Christ  Church  (I.  U.) . 

.  .Kent . 

.  .  Kent . 

.  114 

Christ  Church  (Portobacco 

Charles . 

.  .Charles . 

106,  133,  133 

and  La  Plata) 

Christ  Church  (Wayside) .  .  . 

.  .Charles . 

.  .  Charles . 

106,  132,  132 

Christ  Church . 

.  .Calvert . 

.  .  Calvert . 

106, 1 26,  126 

Christ  Church  (St.  Michaels) 

.  .  Talbot . 

.  .  Talbot . 

. 143,  147 

Christ  Church  (Chaptico) .  .  . 

.  .St.  Mary’s . 

. . St.  Mary’s . 

. 113,  113 

Chester  Church . 

.  .  Talbot . 

.  .Queen  Anne's. . 

.  145 

Coventry  (Rehoboth) . 

.  .  Somerset . 

.  .Somerset . 

. 151,  151 

Emmanuel  (Chestertown) .  .  . 

.  .Kent . 

.  .  Kent . 

.  "4 

Middleham  Chapel . 

.  .Calvert . 

.  .  Calvert . 

.  124 

Shrewsbury  (Locust  Grove) .  . 

.Cecil . 

.  .Kent . 

106,  160,  160 

Spring  Hill . 

.  .  Somerset . 

.  .  Wicomico . 

.  152 

Stepney  (Green  Hill) . 

.  .Somerset . 

.  .  Wicomico . 

, .42,  1 32,  152 

St.  Ann's  (Middletown) . 

.  .State  of  Delaware 

.  161 

St.  Ann's  (Annapolis) . 

.  .  Anne  Arundel.  .  .  . 

.  .Anne  Arundel . 

. 122,  122 

St.  Andrew's  (Princess  Anne). 

.  .Somerset . 

.  .  Somerset . 

.  148 

St.  Andrew's  (Leonardtown). 

. .  St.  Mary’s . 

.  .St.  Mary's . 

.  Ill 

St.  Clement's  Manor . 

.  .St.  Mary's . 

.  .St.  Mary’s . 

.  113 

St.  George's  (Poplar  Hill) .  . . 

.  .St.  Mary’s . 

.  .St.  Mary's 

9,  13, 

106,  112,  1 12 

St.  James  (Herring  Creek) .  .  . 

.  Anne  Arundel. .  .  . 

.  .  Arundel . 

106,  120,  120 

St.  John's  (Broad  Creek). . .  . 

.  .  Charles . 

.  .  Prince  George’s . 

. '33,  135 

St.  John’s  (Kingsville) . 

.  .  Baltimore . 

.  .  Baltimore . 

106,  141,  141 

St.  Luke's  (Church  Hill) . 

.  .  Talbot . 

.  .  Queen  Anne's. .  . 

....  106,  164 

St.  Margaret’s  (Westminster) 

.  .  Anne  Arundel. .  .  . 

.  .  Anne  Arundel. . 

. 123,  123 

St.  Martin's . 

.  .Somerset . 

.  .  Worcester . 

.  '49 

St.  Mary's  (Northeast) . 

.  .Cecil . 

.  .Cecil . 

.  '59 

St.  Paul's  (Rock  Creek) . 

.  .Charles . 

.  .District  of  Columbia. .  .  .  130 

St.  Paul's  (Fairlee) . 

.  .Kent . 

.  .  Kent . 

106,  ii7,  117 

St.  Paul’s . 

.  .  Baltimore . 

.  . Baltimore  City. 

. 140,  140 

St.  Paul's  (Vienna) . 

.  Dorchester . 

.  .  Dorchester .... 

.  '54 

St.  Paul's  (Baden) . 

.  Calvert . 

.  .  Prince  George’s. 

106,  128,  128 

Page  numbers  in  italics  denote  reference  to  be  found  on  illustration  opposite  the 

number 


CHURCHES 


INDEX 


Old  County  Present  County 


St.  Paul’s . 

.  St.  Mary's . 

.  106 

St.  Stephen's  (Earleville) . 

.Cecil . 

....  Cecil . 

106,  161 ,  161 

St.  Thomas  (Garrison  Forest). 

Baltimore . 

....  Baltimore . 

.  D9 

Trinity  (Church  Creek) . 

.  Dorchester  .  .  .  . 

...  Dorchester .... 

.106,  i57,  157 

Trinity  (St.  Mary’s  City) .  .  .  . 

.  St.  Mary's . 

.  .  .  .St.  Mary’s.  .  .9, 

106,  iio,  110 

Trinity  (Elkton) . 

.Cecil . 

....  Cecil . 

.  158 

Whitemarsh  (ruins) . 

.  Talbot . 

.  .  .  .Talbot . 

. 146,  1 46 

Wye . 

.  Talbot . 

....  Talbot . 

106, 145,  145 

St.  Paul’s  (Prince  Frederick). 

.  Calvert . 

....  Calvert . 

. 125,  /25 

St.  Paul’s  (Centerville) . 

.  Talbot . 

....  Queen  Anne's .  . 

106,  145,  14/ 

Page  numbers  in  italics  denote  reference  to  be  found  on  illustration  opposite  the 

number 


INDEX 


GEOGRAPHICAL 

Annapolis . 10,  60,  63,  64,  67, 

68,93,98,99,122,134 

Atlantic  Ocean .  153 

Avalon,  Newfoundland .  3 

Avon  River .  134 

Back  Creek .  149 

Baltimore  City .  140 

Bermuda .  23 

Blackwater  River . 155,  156 

Bodkin  Point . 118,  137 

Bohemia  River .  161 

Brewer's  Branch . 145,  146,  147 

Broad  Creek . 12,  116,  135 

Broad  Neck .  119 

Bluff  Point .  113 

Buck  Neck .  114 

Budd's  (Bird)  Creek .  110 

Bush  River . 13,  138,  141,  142 

Calvert  Town .  125 

Cambridge . 65,  154,  156 

Centerville .  145 

Charlestown .  159 

Chesapeake  Bay . 5,  110,  112, 

1 16,  117,  1 19,  120,  124,  137, 
140,  141,  142,  147,  160,  161 
Chester  River 

9,  115,  116,  117,  143,  145 

Chestertown .  115 

Choptank  River . 143,  147,  148 

Churn  Creek .  117 

“Cloppers”  (Colgate)  Creek.  ...  140 

Courte's  Plantation .  132 

Cox  Town .  127 

Cresseye's  Landing .  132 

Cresseye's  Plantation .  133 

Delaware .  153 

Dividing  Creek .  149 

Dunn's  Creek .  117 

Eastern  Bay . 116,  143,  147 

Eastern  Shore .  145,  148,  154 

Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia .  148 

Easton . 146,  147 

Elk  Neck .  141 

Elk  Ridge .  118 

Elkton .  159 

England . 5,  7,  14,  16,  18,  19,  27, 

33,  49,  73,  94,  102,  144 

Fishing  Creek .  120 

"Forked  Neck"  Plantation .  147 


France . 49,  94,  102 

Frederick  (Maryland) .  136 

Gray’s  Inn  Creek .  115 

Green  Hill .  152 

Gunpowder  River . 139,  141 

Hambleton .  146 

Hampton,  Virginia .  2 

Head  of  Elk  (Elkton) .  159 

Hell  Point .  114 

Hemsley's  Plantation .  144 

Herring  Creek . 118,  124 

Hopton .  144 

Hoskin's  Quarter . 133,  134 

Hunt’s  Plantation . 155,  156 

Indian  Creek .  110 

Ireland . 3,  49,  94,  102 

Isle  of  Kent . 2,  6,  107 

James  River  (Virginia) .  12 

Joppa . 138,  141 

Judwin’s  Branch . 145,  146 

Kent  Island . 9,  12,  114,  115,  116 

Kingsville .  141 

Kipling,  England .  3 

Lambeth,  England .  27 

Langford's  Bay .  117 

Langworth’s  Branch . Ill,  113 

" Lisle  Hall "  Plantation .  135 

Little  Choptank  River . 155,  156 

London,  England . 14,  71 

Longford,  County  of .  3 

Lyon’s  Creek .  120 

Magothy  River . 118,  138 

Manokin  River . 135,  138 

Marston,  England .  18 

Maryland,  Province  of. .  1 ,  3,  6,  7,  15, 


16,  18,  19,  23,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30, 
31,  32,  35,  36,  47,  49,  93,  95,  96, 


97,  102,  107,  109,  1  19,  130,  151 
Mattawoman  Creek ....  1 19,  113,  134 

Middle  River .  139,  140,  141 

Middletown  (Delaware) .  161 

Miles  River  Neck .  147 

Monii .  150 

Mt.  Calvert . 125,  128 

Nanjemy . 133,  134 

Nanticoke  River .  152 

"Narrows,"  The . 116,  143 

New  Castle  (Delaware) .  142 


INDEX 


GEOGRAPHICAL 

New  England .  1,2 

New  Foundland .  3 

New  Jersey . 23,  30 

Newport .  113 

New  Town .  Ill 

New  Yarmouth .  115 

Ordinary  Point .  159 

Oxford  College .  18 

Oxford  Town .  146 

Palmer's  Island .  2 

Patapsco  River.  ...  1 18,  137,  138,  139 
Patuxent  River.  ...  1 1 0,  118,  1 20,  1 24 

Patuxent  River  Main  Road .  Ill 

Perryman .  142 

Pettite’s  Old  Field .  140 

Pine  Hill  Creek . 110,  112,  124 

Plowden's  Wharf .  113 

Pocomoke  City . 151,  153 

Pocomoke  River .  151 

Point  Lookout . 110,  112 

Poplar  Hill . 6,  9,  112 

Portobacco  Creek .  113 

Potomac  River 

110,  130,  132,  133,  134,  135 
"Prevent  Danger"  Plantation. . .  126 

Princess  Anne . 149,  150 

Quant  ico .  152 

Rehoboth,  Maryland .  151 

Rock  Creek .  136 

Sassafras  River. ...  1 09,  159,  160,  161 

Severn  Heights .  123 

Severn  Ridge  Path .  127 

Skipton  Creek . 144,  146 


Snow  Hill .  153 

Spring  Hill .  152 

State  House  (St.  Mary’s  City) .  .  Ill 

St.  Clement’s  Bay . 112,  113 

St.  Clement’s  Island .  6 

St.  Clement’s  Manor .  113 

St.  Clement’s  River .  Ill 

St.  George's .  Ill 

St.  Mary’s  City 


2,  6,  15,  47,  49,  1  10,  121 


St.  Michael's .  147 

Susquehanna  River . 2,  137,  142 

Swan  Point .  114 

The  "Three  Notched  Road" 

110,  112,  113,  124 

Tred-Avon  River .  147 

Trent  Creek .  129 

Virginia . 1,3,6,  12 

Waringtown .  126 

Watkin’s  Point .  148 

West  Indies .  5 

Whitehall . 14,  18,  19,  23,  24 

"White  Plaines"  Plantation.  ...  120 

Wicomico .  113 

Wicomico  River . 113,  130 

Windsor  Castle .  4 

Worton  Creek . 114,  117,  160 

Wye  Mills .  147 

Wye  River . 144,  147 

Yorke .  144 

Zachiah  Branch .  133 

Zachias  Swamp .  113 


INDEX 


MISCELLANEOUS 


Act 


12 

,  1?, 

166 


87 


19 


58 


93 


94 


“Concerning  Religion,"  1649 

10,  30 

“For  Maintainance  of  Mini¬ 
sters,"  1661 . 

“For  the  Service  of  Almighty 
God,  Etc.,"  1692.  .  .  10,  12, 

16,  17,  18,  47-58, 
“For  the  Service  of  Almighty 
God,  Etc.,"  Defining  its 

purposes . 

“For  the  Service  of  Almighty 
God,  Etc.,"  Defects  of  this 

Law . 

“For  the  Service  of  Almighty 
God,  Etc.,"  Effective  date 
"For  the  Service  of  Almighty 
God,  Etc.,"  Date  Repealed 
“For  the  Establishment  of 
Religious  Worship,  etc.," 

1702 . 19,  71 

“For  the  Establishment  of 
Religious  Worship,  etc.," 

Validity  of . 95,  96,  97 

For  Constables  taking  List  of 

Taxables .  59 

Address  to  King  William  III.  .  .  .  35 

“Anabaptists" . 11,  29,  30 

Anglicans .  6 

Anglican  Church .  6 

Clergymen .  6 

Faith .  6 

Answers  to  Queries  about  the 

Province,  1676 .  32 

"Antinomian" .  II 

Assembly,  Maryland  Provincial 

12,  13,  15,  16,  17,  19,  30, 
40,  47,  48,  49,  58,  71,  73, 
74,  93,  94,  101,  107 
Maryland  Provincial, 
Changes  in  person¬ 
nel . 41,  42,  43 

"Associators  " .  39 

Appeals  from  Vestry  decisions  to 
be  made  to  Governor  and 

Council .  91 

Baptisms . 25,  32,  65 

“Barrowist" .  11 

Benefices,  Collating  of  Ecclesias¬ 
tical  . 17,  38 

Bishop  of  London,  Personal  rep¬ 
resentative 

of .  15 

Jurisdiction  of 
the . 12,  38 


Board  or  Commissioners  of  Trade 
and  Plantation 

17,  23,  28,  30,  32,  71,  72 
Book  of  Common  Prayer 

37,  71,  74,  100 
Bray,  Dr.  Thomas. .  18,  19,  71,  73,  74 

“Brownists" .  11 

Burials  in  the  Province  of  Mary¬ 
land . 25,  32 

Calverts,  As  Anglican  Church¬ 
men .  14 

As  Roman  Catholics. .  .  14 

Rule  of  terminated.  ...  14 

Rule  of  restored .  14 

Calvinists .  11 

Chaplains  to  the  Council  and  As¬ 
sembly .  42 

Charter  of  Avalon .  3 

of  the  Province  of  Mary¬ 
land . 3,  4,  5,  9,  12,  14 

Church  of  England. . .  1 ,  2,  3,  6,  8,  12, 
15,  17,  18,  19,  26,  29,  30, 
31,  36,  38,  47,  50,  71,  74, 
75,  89,  93,  95,  99,  101 
Estab  lished 
by  Law 

15,  16,  51,  58,  93 
Growth  of. . .  12 

Doctrines 
and  disci¬ 
pline  of  the  17 
Rights,  Lib¬ 
erties  and 
Franchises 
of  the ...  1 5,  50 


J  urisdiction 
of  the. ...  15 

Governor 
Copleyrep- 
resentative 

of  the .  15 

Rites  of  the.  1 7,37 

Livings .  12 

Church,  The  Puritan .  1 

The  Roman  Catholic.  .  .  1,3 

"The  Established" .  75 

Churches,  Care  of .  65 

To  be  built  in  each 

Parish .  17 

Twenty-two  built  in 

1693 .  17 

Exceptions  where 
churches  are  built .  .  54 


INDEX 


MISCELLANEOUS 

Churches,  care  of . 65 

To  be  used  for  Court 

Houses .  67 

Church  Wardens,  Appointed  each 

year .  85 

Elected  by 
F  reeholders 
of  the  Par¬ 
ish .  85 

Oath  of .  85 

Fines  for  non- 
performance 

of  duty .  86 

To  see  that  pa- 
r  o  c  h  i  a  i 
charges  are 

paid .  86 

Fines  to  be  lev¬ 
ied  by .  86 

Clerks  of  Parishes  To  make  re- 
turns  to 
County 
Courts. . . .  67,  68 
Fee  for  record¬ 
ing .  52 

Clerks  of  Parishes .  76 

Colonies,  The  American .  2 

Colinists,  The  Roman  Catholic.  .  1 

Commissary,  Dr.  Bray  appointed  18 
Commission  of  Gov.  Lionel  Cop¬ 
ley .  14 

Commonwealth  of  England .  9 


Copley,  Instructions  to  Governor 

16,  37 

Commission  of  Governor  14 
Representative  of  Crown 

and  Church .  15 

Council,  The  King's,  at  Whitehall  14 
Counties  of  the  Province  of  Mary¬ 
land . 16,  108 

Work  of  Dividing  into 

Parishes . 16,  51 

County,  Court  Houses  to  be  used 

as  churches .  64 

Seals .  107 

Decisions  of  Governor  and  Coun¬ 
cil  Final .  91 

Disposition  of  the  Forty  per  poll 

Tax . 76,  98,  99,  100,  101,  102 

Dissenters  and  Quakers  exempted  92 

Dissenters .  167 

Drum,  Council  and  Assembly 
called  by  beat  of  drum .  42 


Ecclesiastical  Benefices . 17,  38 

England,  The  Great  Seal  of .  14 

Revolution  in .  14 

Fines  To  be  applied  to  Parish 

uses .  53 

To  be  recorded  in  "Their 

Majesties'  Names" .  53 

Freedom  to  worship  God .  2 

Freeholders . 16,  5 1 

To  be  notified  to  at¬ 
tend  meetings  of 

Justices .  51 

Voters  in  church  elec¬ 
tions  must  be  ...  .  78 

Vestrymen  must  be  79 

To  name  retiring  ves¬ 
trymen .  80 

To  vote  for  church 

wardens .  85 

Glebes .  48 

"Heretics" .  11 

"Idolators" .  11 

Inhabitants  to  furnish  informa¬ 
tion .  81 

"  Independents" . 1 1 ,  29,  30 

Instructions  to  Governor  Leonard 
Calvert  and  the  Commission¬ 
ers . 6,  7 

Jesuit .  11 

"Jesuited  Papist " .  11 

Justices,  Meeting  of .  51 

Jurisdiction  of . 87,  92 

Laws  of  Province  of  Maryland  re¬ 
pealed,  1692 .  44 

Lord's  Supper,  Administering  the  66 

Lutherans .  11 

Laws,  Ecclesiastial  of  England.  .  9 

Lay  Readers,  Appointed  in  va¬ 
cant  Parishes.  .  .  65 

To  assist  ministers 
with  two  Par¬ 
ishes .  65 

Appointed  by  Ves¬ 
try .  88 

Licensed  by  the  Or¬ 
dinary .  88 

Salary  of .  88 

Oath  and  Licenses 

of .  88 

Duty .  89 


INDEX 


MISCELLANEOUS 
Marriages,  Prevention  of  Illegal.  76 
Who  shall  perform  ce¬ 
remony .  77 

Fees .  77 

Place  and  time  of. . .  .  77 

"Tables"  to  be  pro¬ 
vided  .  84 

Meetings  of  Justices .  53 

Ministers  of  the  Church  of  Eng¬ 
land . 12,  13 

Expenses  of  transpor¬ 
tation  to  Maryland.  18 

Induction  of . 15,  165 

Maintenance  of 

12,  16,  48,  75 
To  be  one  of  the  Vestry 

16,  48,  70 
Limited  to  two  Parishes  88 

Missionary . 12,  13,  18 

Oath  of  Governor  and  Council .  .  8 

of  Registrar .  81 

of  Vestryman . 64,  79 

Additional..  79 

of  Church  Warden .  85 

Appointed  by  Parliament.  42,  80 

"Papist-Priest" .  11 

Papists .  166 

Parishes . 16,  17,  24,  32,  48,  105 

Boundairesto  be  well  15 
defined. . . 
to  be  re¬ 
corded  in 
County 
Courts.  .  .  51 

Copy  of  Cer¬ 
tificate  to 


be  sent 
Governor.  5 
Dividing  Counties  into .  16 

Number  in  each  County  51 
Ratifying  records  of. . .  .  83 

Parochial  Charges  to  be  paid  out 

of  gifts  to  the  Parishes .  86 

Penalties  for  Sabbath  breaking .  .  50 

for  failing  to  carry  out 
provisions  of  the  Act 

of  1692 .  52 

for  absence  from  Ves¬ 
try  meetings .  84 

Pilgrims  of  New  England .  2 

of  the  Province  of  Mary¬ 
land  .  2 


Places  of  Worship  of  Dissenters 
and  Quakers  to  be  registered.  .  93 

"  Prespeterians  " . 11,  30 

Protestants . 7,  8,  9,  166 

Protestant  Governor .  10 

Ministers . 7,  9 

Revolution  in  the 
Province  of  Mary¬ 
land  . 12,  14,  36 

Religion .  36 


Puritans .  1 

Quakers . 33,  92,  93,  166 

Queries  about  the  Province  of 


Maryland.  .  .  . 

. 29,  30 

Registers  of  Parishes,  Appointed. 

81 

Oath  of.  .  . 

81 

To  record 

vestry 

proceed- 

ings,  etc. 

81 

Fees . 

82 

To  Furnish 
Copy  of 
the  Par¬ 
ish  Rec¬ 
ords  ....  90 

T o  Show 
Records 
of  Par¬ 
ishes  .  .  82,  90 


Religious  Liberty . 1,5,  15 

An  asset  of  the 
Calverts.  ...  5 

The  "Child  of 
Expediency"  15 

Religious  Toleration .  8 

Report  to  Governor  and  Council  16 

Roman  Catholics .  3,  5,  6,  7,  8,  10,  14 

" Romish  Church  " .  29 

"Roundhead" .  11 

St.  Cecelia's  Day .  5 

St.  George's  Day .  Ill 

Salaries  of  Chaplais . n .  42 

"Scismatic” .  11 

"Separatists" .  11 

Sheriffs,  Jurisdiction  of .  60 

To  collect  Forty  per  poll 

Tax .  77 

To  pay  Forty  per  Poll 

Tax  to  Vestry .  78 

Commission  for  collect¬ 
ing  Tax 


55 


INDEX 


MISCELLANEOUS 

Sheriffs,  Jurisdiction  of . 60 

To  report  Property  Do¬ 
nations .  66 

To  report  number  of 

Taxables .  66 

To  collect  additional  Ten 

pounds  Tax .  87 

Fees .  87 

Sunday  Observances .  50 

Tax,  Forty  pounds  of  Tobacco 

“per  Poll" . 16,  55 

Sheriff  to  Collect . 55,  77,  87 

to  pay  to  vestry 

55,  77,  87 

How  to  be  Spent .  56 

Application  of  remainder  of  88 

Disposition  of .  76 

Ten  pounds  of  Tobacco  ad¬ 
ditional .  87 

Sheriff's  salary  for  collecting  66 

Taxables .  59 

List  of  Taxables  kept 
with  vestry  records. .  55 

Toleration  Act .  8 

Trade  Building  in  the  Province 
of  Maryland . 24,  32 

Vestries,  Authority  for .  78 

Annual  election  on  Eas¬ 
ter  Monday .  80 

Authority  for  calling 

meetings .  84 

To  build  churches  and 

chapels .  54 

To  build  churches  where 

needed .  64 

To  determine  dimen¬ 
sions  of  Churches  and 

Chapels .  54 

To  obtain  list  of  Tax¬ 
ables  yearly .  55 

Records  to  be  kept  in 

register .  84 

To  receive  tax  from 

Sheriff .  55 

Instructed  as  to  certain 
interior  work  on 

churches .  63 

To  see  that  churches  are 

decently  kept .  57 

Meetings  to  be  held  once 
a  month .  83 


Vestries,  Authority  for . 78 

Public  notice  to  be 
given  of  meetings. ...  84 

Auhtorized  to  accept 

Donations .  56 

To  act  as  a  "Body  Cor¬ 
porate" .  57 

Authorized  to  sue .  56 

To  choose  church  war¬ 
dens  .  64 

Meeting  dates  fixed. .  89 

Minimum  constituting 
vestry .  89 


Appeals  from  their  deci¬ 
sions  to  be  made  to 
Governor  and  Council  91 
Authorizing  vestry  to 

Act .  89 

Vestrymen .  16 

Number  constituting 

a  vestry .  78 

Must  be  Freeholders.  79 

Oath  of . 64,  79 

Oath  administered  to 
First  vestryman  by 
one  of  the  Justices.  79 
Oath  administered  to 


other  vestrymen  by 
First  Vestryman. . .  79 

Additional  Oath  of.  .  79 

Two  new  ones  chosen 

annually .  80 

Freeholders  to  name 
retiring  vestryman.  80 
Penalty  for  absence 


from  vestry  meet¬ 
ings .  90 

Election  of . 53,  90 

Number  of  to  be  cho¬ 
sen .  53 

Given  authority  of 

office .  53 

To  fill  vacancies. . . .  57,  78 
Suits  to  be  entered  in 
the  name  of  the 
principal  Vestry¬ 
man .  57 

Virginia  Colony,  The . 1,  3,  6 

Visitation  of  Dr.  Thomas  Bray.  .  19 

Voters  must  be  Freeholders .  78 

Whitehall,  Council  at .  19 

Writs  of  Election  of  Burgesses. . .  41 


INDEX 


COUNTIES 


Anne  Arundel 

.  .39, 

41, 

106, 

107, 

108, 

1 

18, 

119, 

120, 

124, 

137, 

140 

Baltimore 

39, 

40, 

106, 

107, 

108, 

114, 

1 

18, 

119, 

137, 

139, 

141, 

142 

Calvert.  . 

.  .39,  41, 

96, 

106, 

107, 

108, 

1 

12, 

120, 

124, 

125, 

127, 

130 

Cecil .  .  .  . 

.  .  .39,  41 

,  42, 

106, 

107, 

108, 

109, 

114, 

115, 

158 

Charles.  . 

.  .39, 

41, 

106, 

107, 

108, 

113, 

119, 

124, 

130, 

131, 

132, 

133, 

135, 

138, 

140 

Dorchester 

.  .  .39,  41 

,  65, 

106, 

107,  108,  154,  155,  156 

Harford .  138 

Kent . 9,  39,  40,  106,  107,  108, 


114,  115,  116,  158,  160,  165 

Prince  George’s.  . . 124,  142 

St.  Mary's.  .  .9,  39,  40,  106,  107,  108, 


109,  110,  111,  112,  113,  124,  130 

Somerset . 39,  40,  41,  42,  43,  106, 

107,  108,  148,  149,  150,  152 

Talbot . 39,  40,  41,  42,  43,  106, 

107,  108,  143,  144,  146 
Worcester .  149 


COURT  HOUSES 

Anne  Arundel  County .  119 

Baltimore .  138 

Calvert .  125 

Charles .  131 

Cecil .  159 


Dorchester .  154 

Kent .  115 

St.  Mary's .  Ill 

Somerset .  149 

Talbot .  144 


J 


